Information about novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

Apple Health (Medicaid) clients

During the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) the Health Care Authority (HCA) extended coverage for all Apple Health (Medicaid) clients. This extension is now ending due to the Consolidated Appropriation Act, 2023.

Public Health emergency status

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will still determine when the PHE ends and give states 60 days’ notice. HHS extended the PHE through April 11, 2023. The PHE is extended 90 days at a time according to the HHS letter to Governors. 

Eligibility

• Eligibility temporary changes (available in 15 languages)
• See if you are eligible for Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) or other coverage

Public health emergency (PHE)

• Apple Health and the public health emergency
• External Guide to Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) Post-PHE

Testing and treatment

• At-home COVID-19 tests for Apple Health
• COVID-19 general testing and treatment services

Vaccination information

• Apple Health COVID-19 vaccination rates

Other COVID-19 services

• Telehealth guidance (available in 36 languages)
• Nonemergency medical transportation for COVID-19 vaccinations (available in 36 languages)
• AEM assessment and treatment (MAGI and Classic Medicaid) (available in 36 languages)

Provider, billers, and partners (Apple Health)

COVID-19 resources

Telehealth

• Electronic signature guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic

Frequently accessed provider-specific materials

Behavioral health providers

• Letter for COVID-19 antigens for behavioral health providers
• Request for Information (RFI) for North Sound and Pierce regions to start a Crisis Counseling Program (due October 31)
• Behavioral health weekly impacts report
• Behavioral health monthly impacts report
• Children's Long Term Inpatient Treatment Program (CLIP) guidelines for safe visitation
• Learn about behavioral health resources and recommendations
• Behavioral health institute training and technical assistance for telehealth
• Resources for peers during COVID-19
• Strategies for Foundational Community Support (FCS) providers during COVID-19
• American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM): Adjusting drug testing protocols
• Department of Health COVID-19 behavioral health group slides
• Agency service access changes
• COVID-19 and prescribers of buprenorphine-containing products (FAQ)
• COVID-19 and prevention support
• Integrated managed care behavioral health provider support during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Urinalysis guidelines during COVID-19
• Opioid Treatment Programs coronavirus (COVID-19) (FAQ)
• How to social distance during recovery meetings
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) COVID-19 webpage

Physical health providers

• Sterilization consent forms signatures during the COVID-19 pandemic

Dental providers

• Dental emergency coverage related to COVID-19 pandemic

All other providers

• Inpatient hospital enhanced rate increase during COVID-19 pandemic (FAQ)
• Private duty nursing (PDN) services billing policy during COVID-19 pandemic (FAQ) 
• Ambulance transportation billing policy during COVID-19 pandemic
• Health Home guidance regarding COVID-19
• Medicaid Administrative Claiming (MAC) local health jurisdictions
• School Based Health Services (SBHS) Program billing FAQ

More provider materials

General information

• Interpreter services policy during COVID-19 pandemic
• Prior authorization requirements - COVID-19 related
• CARES Act Provider Relief Fund for COVID-19

• Signature requirements for delivery of prescribed medications during COVID-19 pandemic

Eligibility

• Alien Emergency Medical COVID-19 coverage expansion
• Classic Medicaid eligibility memo (March 26, 2020)
• MAGI Medicaid eligibility memo (March 24, 2020)
• Terminations and renewals eligibility memo (March 26, 2020)
  • Update - Terminations and renewals eligibility memo (April 23, 2020)
• Treatment of unemployment income eligibility memo (April 27, 2020)
  • Update 3 - Treatment of unemployment income memo (September 18, 2020)
  • Update 4 - Treatment of unemployment income memo (December 31, 2020)
• Update 2 - Temporary Apple Health eligibility changes - Memos 1 thru 4 (May 8, 2020)

Safe start guidelines (Department of Health)

• Governor's proclamation on behavioral health treatment facilities
• Behavioral health facilities safe start guidance
• Guidance for behavioral health facilities
• Recommendations for adapting behavioral health treatment

Webinars

• Apple Health (Medicaid) dental billing instruction updates related to COVID-19 | Presentation slides (5/13/2020)

• Apple Health eligibility and COVID-19 | Presentation slides (5/5/2020)
• Apple Health (Medicaid) telehealth policy - slide deck - recorded webinar (4/30/2020)
• Behavioral health: DBHR bi-monthly COVID-19 call for behavioral health providers (10/20/2020)
• Behavioral health: National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) treatment courts and COVID-19 (recorded 4/6/2020)
• Behavioral health: Telehealth technical assistance for providers (recorded)
• We are Peer for You daily webinars

DBHR monthly call for behavioral health service providers

• 2021 behavioral health investments 
• University of Washington Check in with Yourself program information
• Behavioral health institute Telehealth survey information
• Monthly listening session for DBHR service providers call slides (updated November 22, 2022)
• Listen to the August 23 listening session for DBHR service providers
• Overdose prevention provider alert
• Department of Commerce housing slides (updated January 26, 2021)

Waivers

• June 10 approval from CMS to amend the 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers
  • Appendix K: Basic Plus waiver
  • Appendix K: Core waiver
  • Appendix K: Community Protection waiver
  • Appendix K: Individual and Family Services waiver
  • Appendix K: Children's Intensive In Home Behavior Support waiver
• April 21 approval from CMS for some elements of 1115 public health emergency request
• March 31 letter to CMS requesting 1115 waiver flexibility relating to Medicaid Transformation Project
  • 1115 waiver amendment summary
• March 26 CMS letter to the Governor regarding 1135 waiver request
• 1135 waiver: COVID-19 emergency declaration health care providers fact sheet
• Supplemental emergency 1115 waiver request for Medicaid services
  • Summary of 1115 waiver request
  • March 21, 2020, email from State Medicaid Director MaryAnne Lindeblad to CMS
• Appendix K: Home and community-based waivers
• Appendix K: COPES waiver
• Appendix K: New Freedom waiver
• Appendix K: Residential Support waiver
• Washington State 1135 waiver request to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
  • Summary of 1135 waiver request
• CMS approves Washington State's request for Medicaid 1135 waiver
• July 15 approval from CMS for title XXI CHIP SPA WA-20-0001

Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) members

• FAQs about the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and your PEBB medical coverage (updated October 28, 2022)
• PEBB members: End of Washington COVID-19 state of emergency 

School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) members

• FAQs about the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and your SEBB medical coverage (updated October 28, 2022)
• SEBB members: End of Washington COVID-19 state of emergency