# WAC 284-170-205: WAC 284-170-205. Behavioral health emergency services provider contracting > Washington · Regulations · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_205 ## Section - **Citation:** WAC 284-170-205 - **Heading:** WAC 284-170-205. Behavioral health emergency services provider contracting - **Jurisdiction:** Washington - **Kind:** Regulations - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Washington Administrative Code / Title 284 / Chapter 284-170 / Section 284-170-205 ## Text (1) Issuers must meet the network access standards of this chapter related to emergency mental health services and substance use disorder services, including services provided by behavioral health emergency services providers. An issuer that is unable to meet these standards must file an alternative access delivery request as provided in this chapter. (2) In accepting and reimbursing billing for behavioral health crisis services provided by nonparticipating behavioral health emergency services providers for behavioral health emergency services under RCW 48.43.093 , issuers must: (a) Accept and reimburse billing for behavioral health crisis services submitted by behavioral health agencies that are licensed in good standing and certified to provide crisis services by the Washington state department of health under chapter 246-341 WAC and are defined as behavioral health emergency services providers under RCW 48.43.005 , or from behavioral health administrative services organizations, as described in RCW 71.24.045 . Issuers, providers, and behavioral health administrative organizations may, by mutual agreement, define payment methodologies for payment of behavioral health crisis services; (b) Accept and reimburse billing codes for behavioral health crisis services included in the service encounter reporting instructions issued and periodically updated by the Washington state health care authority. (3) In contracting with behavioral health emergency services providers, issuers must: , by mutual agreement, define payment methodologies for payment of behavioral health crisis services; (b) Accept and reimburse billing codes for behavioral health crisis services included in the service encounter reporting instructions issued and periodically updated by the Washington state health care authority. (3) In contracting with behavioral health emergency services providers, issuers must: (a) To reduce administrative burden on behavioral health emergency services providers, initially engage in good faith efforts to contract with behavioral health administrative service organizations, as described in RCW 71.24.045 , that have contracts with a sufficient number of behavioral health emergency services providers in their region. If a behavioral health administrative services organization is unwilling or unable to contract with an issuer, the issuer must engage in good faith efforts to contract directly with a sufficient number and type of behavioral health emergency services providers to meet the network access standards of this chapter; (b) Contract with behavioral health emergency services providers as licensed behavioral health agencies, as provided in (c) of this subsection. RCW 48.43.005 defines "health care provider" as a person regulated under Title 18 RCW or chapter 70.127 RCW, to practice health or health-related services or otherwise practicing health care services in this state consistent with state law. As such, contracting for behavioral health emergency services cannot be limited to health care providers whose scope of practice includes independent practice. If a health care provider holding, for example, an associate license under RCW 18.225.145 or an agency-affiliated counselor license under chapter 18.19 RCW is employed by a behavioral health emergency services provider, that license holder or the provider, on their behalf, must be allowed to bill the issuer for emergency services, as defined in RCW 48.43.005 . (c) With respect to credentialing: e. If a health care provider holding, for example, an associate license under RCW 18.225.145 or an agency-affiliated counselor license under chapter 18.19 RCW is employed by a behavioral health emergency services provider, that license holder or the provider, on their behalf, must be allowed to bill the issuer for emergency services, as defined in RCW 48.43.005 . (c) With respect to credentialing: (i) For contracts with behavioral health administrative services organizations, the carrier must delegate credentialing of behavioral health emergency services providers to the behavioral health administrative service organization; and (ii) For contracts directly with behavioral health emergency services providers, and for credentialing delegated to behavioral health administrative service organizations under (c)(i) of this subsection, the issuer's credentialing standards must be satisfied by a showing that the behavioral health emergency services provider is licensed in good standing and certified to provide crisis services by the Washington state department of health under chapter 246-341 WAC. The issuer may not impose additional credentialing requirements. ## Nearby sections - [WAC 284-170-110 WAC 284-170-110. Purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_110.md) - [WAC 284-170-120 WAC 284-170-120. Applicability and scope](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_120.md) - [WAC 284-170-125 WAC 284-170-125. Compliance with state and federal laws](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_125.md) - [WAC 284-170-130 WAC 284-170-130. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_130.md) - [WAC 284-170-131 WAC 284-170-131. Definitions applicable to RCW 48.43.732 ](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_131.md) - [WAC 284-170-200 WAC 284-170-200. Network access — General standards](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_200.md) - [WAC 284-170-205 WAC 284-170-205. Behavioral health emergency services provider contracting](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_205.md) - [WAC 284-170-210 WAC 284-170-210. Alternate access delivery request](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_210.md) - [WAC 284-170-220 WAC 284-170-220. Amended alternate access delivery request for services subject to the Balance Billing Protection Act](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_220.md) - [WAC 284-170-230 WAC 284-170-230. Maintenance of sufficient provider networks](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_230.md) - [WAC 284-170-240 WAC 284-170-240. Use of subcontracted networks](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_240.md) - [WAC 284-170-260 WAC 284-170-260. Provider directories](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_260.md) - [WAC 284-170-270 WAC 284-170-270. Every category of health care providers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_270.md) - [WAC 284-170-280 WAC 284-170-280. Network reports — Format](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_280.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_205. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.