Summary

King County and Molina Healthcare of Washington (Molina) have signed a three-year contract to support and improve behavioral health care practices in the region. This agreement endorses King County’s one-of-a-kind model for coordinating publicly funded integrated health and behavioral health care, and opens the door for a new project specifically to assist Molina members and clients during the COVID-19 emergency.

Story

After successfully completing a two-year trial period, King County and Molina have signed a groundbreaking three-year commitment to provide behavioral health care services for thousands of local residents. Molina is the largest of five Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) administering Medicaid-funded behavioral and integrated health services in King County and statewide, and the first MCO to enter into a multi-year strategic relationship with King County and the King County Integrated Care Network (KCICN).

“This multi-year agreement brings stability to the behavioral healthcare system in King County during this terrible pandemic, and reinforces the innovative public-private partnership model we’ve created for coordinating care for our region,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “We look forward to expanding our partnership with Molina Healthcare and improving access to quality care for our residents, now and for the future.”

“This long-term relationship will allow Molina Medicaid members to benefit from both Molina’s and King County’s care management, provider networks, and supportive services, while enabling us to jointly focus on improving comprehensive health outcomes for Molina members,” said Molina Healthcare of Washington President Peter Adler. “King County’s broad array of social and behavioral health services pair perfectly with Molina’s fully integrated managed care programs and services.”

COVID-19 Quality Project

Molina and King County are excited to partner on a new quality initiative for Molina members receiving care and temporary housing in King County isolation and quarantine (I&Q) sites due to COVID-19. Individuals served in the I&Q sites are likely to experience feelings of anxiety and isolation. Molina and King County will collaborate with onsite I&Q staff to build rapport and engage with each individual during their temporary stay. Every Molina member will receive an integrated health screening to assess their physical, behavioral health, and social determinant needs. Prior to discharge, each individual will receive support to address their identified needs and ensure their safe and stable transition from the I&Q site to the community. 

Unique System Model

King County is the only county that was approved by the state of Washington to remain in a central coordinating role for the behavioral healthcare system. While behavioral health services in other counties transitioned to Medicaid MCOs, King County worked with the state Health Care Authority, the MCOs and King County treatment providers to create its own unique model for the coordination of behavioral health care. The model optimizes provider choice for King County residents through the 39-member KCICN and 15 behavioral health specialty providers available statewide, and integrates the best of what both the public and private sectors can bring to the table to improve health outcomes in King County.

“This agreement helps to create long-term stability for behavioral healthcare for residents in King County and also moves this region another step forward in achieving the Legislature’s vision of truly integrated health care,” said Washington State Senator David Frockt (46th District).

“I applaud the leadership in King County and Molina Healthcare in moving this contract forward not only to provide stability to our behavioral health care system in a time of great need, but also in creating a stronger foundation for integrated healthcare in King County for the future,” said Rep. Nicole Macri, Washington State House of Representatives (43rd District).

The model also strives to best leverage County funding from property tax millage and the dedicated sales tax initiative known as the MIDD (Mental Illness and Drug Dependency). Coordinating these local resources helps to ensure access to services for more low-income residents.

With the disruption of services and lives during the coronavirus emergency, it is especially important to ensure stability across the provider network and King County’s systems of care. The signing of this agreement with the largest Medicaid health plan creates a solid foundation for the care network for years to come.

About the King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division

The Behavioral Health and Recovery Division (BHRD), part of the King County Department of Community and Human Services, is responsible for contract management and oversight of the 39-member King County Integrated Care Network providing a full range of inpatient, outpatient and residential mental health and substance use disorder services for low-income children and adults in King County. The division is also responsible for managing the behavioral health crisis response system, including the 24/7 direct services provided by the Designated Crisis Responders and the Emergency Service Patrol. In 2019, King County BHRD served 63,425 people with behavioral health needs.

About Molina Healthcare of Washington

Molina Healthcare of Washington has been providing government-funded care for low-income individuals for over 20 years. As of March 31, 2020, Molina serves over 878,000 members through Medicaid, Medicare and the Health Benefit Exchange programs across the state of Washington. Additionally, Molina Healthcare operates a primary care clinic in Everett (MyHealth Everett) and a mobile health unit (MyHealth Mobile) in the Spokane area. For more information, visit MolinaHealthcare.com and connect via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Relevant links

• King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division

Quotes

This multi-year agreement brings stability to the behavioral healthcare system in King County during this terrible pandemic, and reinforces the innovative public private partnership model we’ve created for coordinating care for our region. We look forward to expanding our partnership with Molina Healthcare and improving access to quality care for our residents, now and for the future.

This long-term relationship will allow Molina Medicaid members to benefit from both Molina’s and King County’s care management, provider networks, and supportive services, while enabling us to jointly focus on improving comprehensive health outcomes for Molina members. King County’s broad array of social and behavioral health services pair perfectly with Molina’s fully integrated managed care programs and services.

This agreement helps to create long-term stability for behavioral healthcare for residents in King County and also moves this region another step forward in achieving the Legislature’s vision of truly integrated health care.

I applaud the leadership in King County and Molina Healthcare in moving this contract forward not only to provide stability to our behavioral health care system in a time of great need, but also in creating a stronger foundation for integrated healthcare in King County for the future.”

For more information, contact:

Sherry Hamilton, Department of Community and Human Services, 206-263-9010