MedicaidDocumentationMedium impact
Mental Health Services Billing Guide Updates, Effective July 1, 2026
Washington Apple Health·WA · Psychiatry, Pediatrics·Billing Guide
Effective date
Jul 1, 2026
We identified it
Jul 14, 2026
Summary
Washington State HCA updated the Mental Health Services Billing Guide effective July 1, 2026, adding new service descriptions, clarifications, and billing guidance for brief emotional/behavioral assessments, collaborative assessments, clozapine case management/monitoring, and infant-early childhood mental health services. The Mental Health Attestation form has been renamed and updated to include Behavioral Health Support Specialists (BHSS) and clarify age references for children and youth (age 18 and younger).
Action Required
By July 1, 2026: (1) Billing team must obtain and review the updated Mental Health Services Billing Guide from HCA Provider billing guides page to identify specific billing code changes and new billing requirements. (2) Update billing software and encounter forms to reflect changes to Brief Emotional/Behavioral Assessment billing, Collaborative Assessment billing, and Clozapine case management/monitoring billing (content relocated from Physician-Related Services guide). (3) Credentialing team must update provider attestation requirements: obtain the renamed Children and Youth Mental Health Provider Attestation form (HCA 13-951, 5/26 version) and ensure all mental health providers complete updated attestation that now includes BHSS and clarifies coverage for age 18 and younger. (4) Front desk/administrative staff must update any internal references from 'Mental Health Attestation form' to 'Children and Youth Mental Health Provider Attestation form.' Review accompanying FAQ to understand new requirements. Failure to update attestation forms and billing procedures may result in claim denials for mental health services.