New Health Care Authority webpage for Family Initiated Treatment

The Health Care Authority (HCA) has published a new webpage about Family Initiated Treatment (FIT). Under Washington state law, a minor aged 13-17 has the right to consent to their own behavioral health treatment. These adolescents have a right to seek their own treatment under Adolescent Initiated Treatment. However, the FIT law permits family members and other designated individuals to seek evaluation and treatment for behavioral health disorders on behalf of these adolescents, regardless of the adolescent’s consent or refusal to consent. HCA’s new webpage contains information and resources about both FIT and adolescent-initiated treatment. Hospital members may also want to review WSHA-prepared resources on these laws, including a WSHA FIT bulletin on key details and WSHA FIT webcast slides.