Last week, the Health Care Authority released a request for proposal (RFP) for the integrated Medicaid contract for Clark and Skamania Counties (see it here). At this time, the southwest region is the only regional service area pursing the early adopter approach. Effective April 1, 2016, the new contract includes all mental health, substance abuse, and physical health benefits for Medicaid plans. The functions historically managed by the Regional Support Network will cease for Medicaid clients on March 31.
This contract will serve as a model for the rest of the state; the plan is to have integrated contracting by 2020.
Plans that bid on the contract will be scored on management and coordination of services, as well as their provider network. The RFP also identifies “essential behavioral health providers” that plans must demonstrate capacity through including community mental health agencies, hospital and non-hospital evaluation and treatment facilities to serve involuntary detained patients, substance abuse providers, and residential providers for post-acute care. Announcement of successful bidders will be in mid-November. (Chelene Whiteaker)
