Postdelivery and transitional care program — Contracting — Funding.
RCW 74.09.835
in effect(1) By no later than January 1, 2026, the authority shall create a postdelivery and transitional care program that allows for extended postdelivery hospital care for people with a substance use disorder at the time of delivery. The authority shall: (a) Allow for up to five additional days of hospitalization stay for the birth parent; (b) Provide the birth parent access to integrated care and medical services including, but not limited to, access to clinical health, medication management, behavioral health, addiction medicine, specialty consultations, and psychiatric providers; (c) Provide the birth parent access to social work support which includes coordination with the department of children, youth, and families to develop a plan for safe care; (d) Allow dedicated time for health professionals to assist in facilitating early bonding between the birth parent and infant by helping the birth parent recognize and respond to their infant's cues; and (e) Establish provider requirements and pay only those qualified providers for the services provided through the program. (2) In order to provide technical assistance to participating hospitals regarding the postdelivery and transitional care program, the authority shall contract with the Washington state chapter of a national organization that provides a physician-led professional community for those who prevent, treat, and promote remission and recovery from the disease of addiction and whose comprehensive set of guidelines for determining placement, continued stay, and transfer or discharge of enrollees with substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders have been incorporated into medicaid managed care contracts. (3) In administering the program, the authority shall seek any available federal financial participation under the medical assistance program, as codified at Title XIX of the federal social security act, the state children's health insurance program, as codified at Title XXI of the federal social security act, the federal family first prevention services act, and any other federal funding sources that are now available or may become available.
(1) By no later than January 1, 2026, the authority shall create a postdelivery and transitional care program that allows for extended postdelivery hospital care for people with a substance use disorder at the time of delivery. The authority shall:
(a) Allow for up to five additional days of hospitalization stay for the birth parent;
(b) Provide the birth parent access to integrated care and medical services including, but not limited to, access to clinical health, medication management, behavioral health, addiction medicine, specialty consultations, and psychiatric providers;
(c) Provide the birth parent access to social work support which includes coordination with the department of children, youth, and families to develop a plan for safe care;
(d) Allow dedicated time for health professionals to assist in facilitating early bonding between the birth parent and infant by helping the birth parent recognize and respond to their infant's cues; and
(e) Establish provider requirements and pay only those qualified providers for the services provided through the program.
(2) In order to provide technical assistance to participating hospitals regarding the postdelivery and transitional care program, the authority shall contract with the Washington state chapter of a national organization that provides a physician-led professional community for those who prevent, treat, and promote remission and recovery from the disease of addiction and whose comprehensive set of guidelines for determining placement, continued stay, and transfer or discharge of enrollees with substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders have been incorporated into medicaid managed care contracts.
(3) In administering the program, the authority shall seek any available federal financial participation under the medical assistance program, as codified at Title XIX of the federal social security act, the state children's health insurance program, as codified at Title XXI of the federal social security act, the federal family first prevention services act, and any other federal funding sources that are now available or may become available.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=74.09&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026