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Information about novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
Fri, 09/18/2020
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) interpreter services policy during COVID-19 pandemic
- Apple Health (Medicaid) prior authorization requirements - COVID-19 related
- Apple Health (Medicaid) provider enrollment during the COVID-19 pandemic (FAQ)
- Apple Health (Medicaid) telemedicine and telehealth brief for COVID-19 (updated 4/28/2020)
- 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
- Safe start for inpatient behavioral health facilities
- Guidance for behavioral health facilities
- Recommendations for adapting behavioral health treatment
Webinars
-
Register for the October 20, DBHR call for behavioral health service providers
-
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 (updated 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)
- Behavioral health: Telehealth webinar slides (updated 4/14/2020)
- We are Peer for You daily webinars
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 September 23, 2020)
- Sterilization consent forms signatures during the COVID-19 pandemic
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(updated October 15)
- Behavioral health monthly impacts report (updated September)
- Children's Long Term Inpatient Treatment Program (CLIP) guidelines for safe visitation
- Safe Start recommendations and requirements for behavioral health inpatient treatment facilities
- 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 October 23, 2020)
- Department of Health COVID-19 behavioral health group slides (updated 10/19/2020)
- Weekly DBHR COVID-19 call slides (updated 10/20/2020)
- Agency service access changes (updated 8/17/2020)
- COVID-19 and prescribers of buprenorphine-containing products (FAQ)
- COVID-19 and prevention support
- COVID-19 weekly update for behavioral health service providers (updated 6/4/2020)
- 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 8/7/20)
- Apple Health (Medicaid) private duty nursing (PDN) services billing policy during COVID-19 pandemic (FAQ) (added 7/17/20)
- Apple Health (Medicaid) ambulance transportation billing policy during COVID-19 pandemic (updated 4/23/2020)
- Apple Health (Medicaid) Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) policy and billing during the COVID-19 pandemic (FAQ) (updated 9/30/2020)
- Apple Health (Medicaid) dental emergency coverage related to COVID-19 pandemic (updated 10/20/2020)
- Apple Health (Medicaid) diabetes education providers in the COVID-19 pandemic (FAQ) (updated 10/1/2020)
- Apple Health (Medicaid) home health services billing and policy during COVID-19 pandemic (FAQ) (updated 10/1/2020)
- Apple Health (Medicaid) telehealth requirements for physical, occupational and speech therapy during COVID-19 pandemic (FAQ) (updated 10/1/2020)
- Apple Health (Medicaid) telemedicine / telehealth services in long term care facilities and skilled nursing facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic (updated 10/1/2020)
- Family Planning Only Program billing guide for telemedicine services offered during the COVID-19 pandemic (FAQ) (updated 4/21/2020)
- Health Home guidance regarding COVID-19
- Medicaid Administrative Claiming (MAC) local health jurisdictions
- School Based Health Services (SBHS) Program billing FAQ (updated 8/3/2020)
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