The proposed bill seeks to improve access to behavioral health emergency services in Washington State by instituting a covered lives assessment on certain health plans. Starting January 1, 2027, all covered entities will be required to pay an annual assessment of 58 cents per covered life, which will fund a new Behavioral Health Emergency Services Account. This account will support various crisis services, including mobile crisis response and stabilization units. The bill also assigns responsibilities to the insurance commissioner for overseeing the assessment and ensuring compliance, while amending existing laws to enhance the representation of behavioral health services in provider networks and streamline payment processes for crisis providers.

Additionally, the bill modifies the management of the treasury income account, clarifying that no appropriation is necessary for refunds or allocations of interest earnings as mandated by the Federal Cash Management Improvement Act of 1990. It introduces the behavioral health emergency services account to receive a share of earnings based on average daily balances and emphasizes that all earnings from state treasury investments will be deposited into the treasury income account. The Office of Financial Management will oversee fund transfers related to federal programs, and the bill includes provisions for expiration dates for certain sections, ensuring that the act remains effective only if specific funding is provided by June 30, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Substitute bill: 48.49.135