To improve patient access to care, HCA is adding additional Medicaid managed care organizations (MCO) in three different service regions. This is a result of the state’s finding that Medicaid enrollees had difficulties getting mental health and substance use disorder treatment in several of the regions. To address this, HCA announced starting in 2021: (1) North Central will now include Community Health Plan of Washington (a total of four MCOs will serve the region); (2) Pierce will now include Community Health Plan of Washington ( all five MCOs will serve the region); and (3) Southwest- will now include Coordinated Care (a total of four MCOs will serve the region).
Since January 2020, Medicaid integrated managed care (Apple Health) has been available statewide. This has allowed medical, mental health and substance use disorder treatment to be coordinated through a single Medicaid managed care organization. MCOs are contracted by the state to provide these services for a specific region, with the state divided into 10 regions. Two regions (King and North Sound) are currently served by all five MCOs and in 2021 Pierce will be as well. (ShirleyP@wsha.org)
