Managed care progress on supporting IECMH providers

Washington State Health Care Authority sent this bulletin at 02/13/2026 09:05 AM PST

February 13, 2026

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Managed care progress on supporting IECMH providers

Managed Care is a health care delivery system organized to manage cost, utilization, and quality. The majority of young children enrolled in Apple Health (Medicaid) are enrolled in managed care. In 2024, the IECMH Statewide Tour report highlighted that IECMH providers can experience challenges in working with managed care organizations (MCOs). Since then, HCA and MCOs have worked collaboratively to improve MCO supports for IECMH providers, including through updated contract requirements and increased monitoring.

As of February 2026, all five MCOs now have IECMH information posted on their provider webpages and/or in their Provider Manuals.

Community Health Plan of Washington: Infant-Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Assessments
Coordinated Care of Washington: ‘Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Services’ section on Provider Training
Molina Healthcare of Washington: ‘Infant-Early Childhood Mental Health’ section of Provider Manual; and ‘Infant-Early Childhood Mental Health Services’ section under BH Resource Library on Behavioral Health
United Healthcare Washington Community Plan:’ Mental health assessments for young children’ section of Provider Manual; and ‘Birth-5 Mental Health Assessments’ section on Behavioral Health
Wellpoint: Infant Early Childhood Mental Health reference guide on Behavioral Health

In addition, all five MCOs have begun working collaboratively using claims data to better understand their IECMH provider networks and to provide targeted technical assistance around billing and reimbursement. This progress aligns with HCA’s IECMH priorities and 2026 action items.

Learn more about IECMH

About the Health Care Authority (HCA)

Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.

Please do not reply directly to this message. For more information, visit the HCA website, where you'll also find contact information.

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