Which two agencies are responsible for administering Medicaid behavioral health services in Washington State?

The two agencies responsible for administering Medicaid behavioral health services in Washington State are the Health Care Authority and the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery. The Health Care Authority oversees the overall Medicaid program, ensuring that behavioral health services are included and effectively managed within the broader health care system. Meanwhile, the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery specifically focuses on the mental health and substance use disorder aspects of care, ensuring that services are accessible, effective, and meet the needs of individuals receiving Medicaid assistance. This collaboration ensures a comprehensive approach to behavioral health that integrates policy oversight with specialized service delivery.

In the context of the other options, while organizations like the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services play a role in broader federal guidelines and funding, they are not directly administering services within the state. The Behavioral Health Organization is more of a local entity that operates under state guidelines rather than being a primary agency itself. Similarly, the Managed Care Organization provides services but does so under the framework established by the Health Care Authority, which does not make it one of the two primary agencies responsible.