(1) The behavioral health administrative services organization contracted with the authority pursuant to RCW
71.24.381 shall:
(a) Administer crisis services for the assigned regional service area. Such services must include:
(i) A behavioral health crisis hotline for its assigned regional service area;
(ii) Crisis response services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year;
(iii) Services related to involuntary commitments under chapters
71.05 and
71.34 RCW;
(iv) Tracking of less restrictive alternative orders issued within the region by superior courts, and providing notification to a managed care organization in the region when one of its enrollees receives a less restrictive alternative order so that the managed care organization may ensure that the person is connected to services and that the requirements of RCW
71.05.585 are complied with. If the person receives a less restrictive alternative order and is returning to another region, the behavioral health administrative services organization shall notify the behavioral health administrative services organization in the home region of the less restrictive alternative order so that the home behavioral health administrative services organization may notify the person's managed care organization or provide services if the person is not enrolled in medicaid and does not have other insurance which can pay for those services;
(v) Additional noncrisis behavioral health services, within available resources, to individuals who meet certain criteria set by the authority in its contracts with the behavioral health administrative services organization. These services may include services provided through federal grant funds, provisos, and general fund state appropriations;
(vi) Care coordination, diversion services, and discharge planning for nonmedicaid individuals transitioning from state hospitals or inpatient settings to reduce rehospitalization and utilization of crisis services, as required by the authority in contract;
(vii) Regional coordination, cross-system and cross-jurisdiction coordination with tribal governments, and capacity building efforts, such as supporting the behavioral health advisory board and efforts to support access to services or to improve the behavioral health system; and
(b) Administer and provide for the availability of an adequate network of evaluation and treatment services to ensure access to treatment, investigation, transportation, court-related, and other services provided as required under chapter
71.05 RCW;
(c) Coordinate services for individuals under RCW
71.05.365;
(d) Administer and provide for the availability of resource management services, residential services, and community support services as required under its contract with the authority;
(e) Contract with a sufficient number, as determined by the authority, of licensed or certified providers for crisis services and other behavioral health services required by the authority;
(f) Maintain adequate reserves or secure a bond as required by its contract with the authority;
(g) Establish and maintain quality assurance processes;
(h) Meet established limitations on administrative costs for agencies that contract with the behavioral health administrative services organization; and
(i) Maintain patient tracking information as required by the authority.
(2) The behavioral health administrative services organization must collaborate with the authority and its contracted managed care organizations to develop and implement strategies to coordinate care with tribes and community behavioral health providers for individuals with a history of frequent crisis system utilization.
(3) The behavioral health administrative services organization shall:
(a) Assure that the special needs of minorities, older adults, individuals with disabilities, children, and low-income persons are met;
(b) Collaborate with local and tribal government entities to ensure that policies do not result in an adverse shift of persons with mental illness into state, local, and tribal correctional facilities; and
(c) Work with the authority to expedite the enrollment or reenrollment of eligible persons leaving state or local correctional facilities and institutions for mental diseases.
(4) The behavioral health administrative services organization shall employ an assisted outpatient treatment program coordinator to oversee system coordination and legal compliance for assisted outpatient treatment under RCW
71.05.148 and
71.34.815.
(5) The behavioral health administrative services organization shall comply and ensure their contractors comply with the tribal crisis coordination plan agreed upon by the authority and tribes for coordination of crisis services, care coordination, and discharge and transition planning with tribes and Indian health care providers applicable to their regional service area.
