The medicaid agency pays for medically necessary ambulance transportation to and from a covered behavioral health service (see WAC 182-546-4300) subject to the conditions and limitations within this chapter. For purposes of Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) and voluntary behavioral health services:

1. (1) The agency pays for transportation services for people involuntarily detained for behavioral health services when they have been assessed by a DCR and found to be one of the following:

   1. (a) A danger to self;
   2. (b) A danger to others;
   3. (c) At substantial risk of inflicting physical harm upon the property of others; or
   4. (d) Gravely disabled as a result of their behavioral health condition.
2. (2) The agency pays for ambulance transportation to take a client to and from an inpatient facility for behavioral health admission under the ITA.
3. (3) The agency pays for ambulance transportation services to take a client to the hospital for a voluntary inpatient behavioral health stay when medically necessary.
4. (4) The DCR authorizes the treatment destination based on the client's legal status.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160, 2015 c 157, 2017 c 273, and 2016 1st sp.s. c 29. WSR 20-17-010, § 182-546-4100, filed 8/6/20, effective 9/6/20.]