§ 71.24.112 — Health engagement hubs pilot program.

Washington § 71.24.112

• Jurisdiction: Washington
• Title 71: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
• Ch. 71.24: COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES ACT

Text

(1)(a) The authority shall implement a pilot program for health engagement hubs by August 1, 2024. The pilot program will test the functionality and operability of health engagement hubs, including whether and how to incorporate and build on existing medical, harm reduction, treatment, and social services in order to create an all-in-one location where people who use drugs can access such services.

(b) Subject to amounts appropriated, the authority shall establish pilot programs on at least two sites, with one site located in an urban area and one located in a rural area.

(c) The authority shall report on the pilot program results, including recommendations for expansion, and rules and payment structures, to the legislature no later than August 1, 2026.

(2) The authority shall develop payment structures for health engagement hubs by June 30, 2024. Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this purpose, and to the extent allowed under federal law, the authority shall direct medicaid managed care organizations to adopt a value-based bundled payment methodology in contracts with health engagement hubs and other opioid treatment providers. The authority shall not implement this requirement in managed care contracts unless expressly authorized by the legislature.

(3) A health engagement hub is intended to:

(a) Serve as an all-in-one location where people 18 years of age or older who use drugs can access a range of medical, harm reduction, treatment, and social services;

(b) Be affiliated with existing syringe service programs, federally qualified health centers, community health centers, overdose prevention sites, safe consumption sites, patient-centered medical homes, tribal behavioral health programs, peer run organizations such as clubhouses, services for unhoused people, supportive housing, and opioid treatment programs including mobile and fixed-site medication units established under an opioid treatment program, or other appropriate entity;

(c) Provide referrals or access to methadone and other medications for opioid use disorder;

(d) Function as a patient-centered medical home by offering high-quality, cost-effective patient-centered care, including wound care;

(e) Provide harm reduction services and supplies; and

(f) Provide linkage to housing, transportation, and other support services.

Legislative History

[2023 sp.s. c 1 s 26.]