HCA Updates Naloxone Billing Instructions

The Health Care Authority updated its instructions and codes for hospital emergency departments and behavioral health agencies to take-home opioid reversal medication required under Senate Bill 5195.  For Medicaid patients, hospitals can bill the medication as a separately paid expense on the emergency department claim.  Behavioral health agencies (BHAs) should submit the charge to Medicaid as a separate billing from the behavior health service. WSHA has requested clarification on payment amounts and process for Medicaid managed care.  HCA is developing an interim process for hospitals and BHA to bill HCA for medication provided to uninsured patients and is expected to announce that process soon. (Andrew Busz, andrewb@wsha.org)