In crisis?
Information about novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
Sun, 01/31/2021
Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a virus strain spreading from person to person. People who have been diagnosed with novel coronavirus have reported symptoms that may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
State resources
- The Washington State Coronavirus Response (COVID-19) website has general news and information about the state response.
- The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has information about public health and COVID-19 on its website, including resources and recommendations for schools, health care providers, and employers.
- The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) has information about insurance and COVID-19 on its website.
- Governor Inslee's newsroom (Governor proclamations and updates).
- If you are experiencing stress due to COVID-19, call Washington Listen's at 1-833-681-0211.
- June 10 approval from CMS to amend the 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers
- 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
- 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
- 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
- CMS approves Washington State's request for Medicaid 1135 waiver
- July 15 approval from CMS for title XXI CHIP SPA WA-20-0001
- Telehealth guidance for Apple Health clients during COVID-19 FAQ (available in 36 languages)
- Apple Health eligibility temporary changes COVID-19 FAQ (available in 36 languages)
- Apple Health testing and services for COVID-19 FAQ
- See if you are eligible for Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) or other coverage
- AEM assessment and treatment for COVID-19 (MAGI and Classic Medicaid) (available in 36 languages)
- COVID-19 testing and treatment coverage options for the uninsured (external)
The Health Care Authority (HCA) considers the telemedicine/telehealth guidance published in these documents as rules that supersede the usual billing guide during the COVID-19 pandemic.
General information
- Alien Emergency Medical COVID-19 coverage expansion
- Apple Health (Medicaid) COVID-19 testing clinical policy (updated December 18, 2020)
- Apple Health COVID-19 vaccine policy (updated January 8, 2021)
- Apple Health Monoclonal Antibody Treatment COVID-19 clinical policy
- Apple Health (Medicaid) interpreter services policy during COVID-19 pandemic
- Apple Health (Medicaid) prior authorization requirements - COVID-19 related
- Apple Health (Medicaid) telemedicine and telehealth brief for COVID-19 (updated April 28, 2020)
- CARES Act Provider Relief Fund for COVID-19
- COVID-19 claims reimbursement for testing and treatment of the uninsured
- Electronic signature guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic
- HCA offers limited no-cost telehealth technology licenses to providers
- HCA statement on security in telehealth technology
- Options for COVID-19 testing and treatment of the uninsured FAQ
- Personal protective equipment decontamination: Sign up with Battelle to have your PPE cleaned
- Signature requirements for delivery of prescribed medications during COVID-19 pandemic
Department of Health safe start guidelines
- 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 (May 13, 2020)
- Apple Health eligibility and COVID-19 | Presentation slides (May 5, 2020)
- Apple Health (Medicaid) telehealth policy - slide deck - recorded webinar (April 30, 2020)
- Apple Health (Medicaid) telehealth listening session - slide deck (December 2, 2020)
- Behavioral health: National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) treatment courts and COVID-19 (recorded April 6, 2020)
- Behavioral health: Telehealth technical assistance for providers (recorded)
- Behavioral health: Telehealth webinar slides (updated April 14, 2020)
- We are Peer for You daily webinars
Bi-weekly DBHR service provider calls
- Register for the February 9 DBHR call for behavioral health service providers
- Behavioral health: DBHR bi-weekly COVID-19 call for behavioral health service providers (updated January 26, 2020)
- Weekly DBHR COVID-19 call slides (updated January 26, 2021)
- Department of Commerce housing slides (updated January 26, 2021)
Eligibility
- Classic Medicaid eligibility memo (March 26, 2020)
- MAGI Medicaid eligibility memo (March 24, 2020)
- Terminations and renewals eligibility memo (March 26, 2020)
- Treatment of unemployment income eligibility memo (April 27, 2020)
- Update 2 - Temporary Apple Health eligibility changes - Memos 1 thru 4 (May 8, 2020)
Physical health providers
- Apple Health (Medicaid) clinical policy and billing for COVID-19 FAQ (updated December 18, 2020)
- Sterilization consent forms signatures during the COVID-19 pandemic
Behavioral health providers
- Presentation: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for behavioral health providers
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) request form
- Contact list for emergency response coordinators
- Maintaining quality care in residential treatment facilities during COVID-19
- Letter for COVID-19 antigens for behavioral health providers
- COVID-19 provider alert regarding suicide risk in youth (updated December 23)
- Behavioral health weekly impacts report(updated January 13, 2021)
- Behavioral health monthly impacts report (updated December)
- 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
- Apple Health (Medicaid) behavioral health policy and billing during the COVID-19 pandemic (FAQ) (updated December 1, 2020)
- Department of Health COVID-19 behavioral health group slides (updated October 19, 2020)
- Agency service access changes (updated January 12, 2021)
- COVID-19 and prescribers of buprenorphine-containing products (FAQ)
- COVID-19 and prevention support
- COVID-19 weekly update for behavioral health service providers (updated June 4, 2020)
- Department of Health behavioral health agency COVID-19 related waiver regarding face-to-face requirements
- 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
All other providers
- Apple Health (Medicaid) inpatient hospital enhanced rate increase during COVID-19 pandemic (FAQ) (added August 7, 2020)
- Apple Health (Medicaid) private duty nursing (PDN) services billing policy during COVID-19 pandemic (FAQ) (updated January 22, 2021)
- Apple Health (Medicaid) ambulance transportation billing policy during COVID-19 pandemic (updated April 23, 2020)
- Apple Health (Medicaid) Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) policy and billing during the COVID-19 pandemic (FAQ) (updated September 30, 2020)
- Apple Health (Medicaid) dental emergency coverage related to COVID-19 pandemic (updated January 8, 2021)
- Apple Health (Medicaid) diabetes education providers in the COVID-19 pandemic (FAQ) (updated October 1, 2020)
- Apple Health (Medicaid) home health services billing and policy during COVID-19 pandemic (FAQ) (updated November 20, 2020)
- Apple Health (Medicaid) telehealth requirements for physical, occupational and speech therapy during COVID-19 pandemic (FAQ) (updated November 20, 2020)
- Apple Health (Medicaid) telemedicine / telehealth services in long term care facilities and skilled nursing facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic (updated October 1, 2020)
- Family Planning Only Program billing guide for telemedicine services offered during the COVID-19 pandemic (FAQ) (updated November 20, 2020)
- Health Home guidance regarding COVID-19
- Medicaid Administrative Claiming (MAC) local health jurisdictions
- School Based Health Services (SBHS) Program billing FAQ (updated November 23, 2020)
Contact
- For COVID-19 billing, coding, or telehealth policy questions: HCAAH_COVID19@hca.wa.gov
- For COVID-19 behavioral health questions: HCADBHRBHCOVID19@hca.wa.gov
Add the topic to the email subject line (for example, Foundational Community Supports, Residential SUD). - For COVID-19 pharmacy related questions: AppleHealthPharmacyPolicy@hca.wa.gov