Increasing access and resources for behavioral health emergency services providers by imposing a covered lives assessment on specific health plans.

HB 2720 imposes a $0.58 monthly fee per enrolled member on health carriers, self-funded employer plans, and multiemployer health plans operating in Washington starting January 2027. This fee funds behavioral health crisis services (like mobile response teams and crisis centers) for people not covered by Medicaid or who aren’t enrolled in Medicaid, addressing gaps where current insurance reimbursement systems fail. The bill creates a dedicated funding source to replace inconsistent billing to insurers, ensuring these critical services remain accessible without relying on Medicaid or taxpayer subsidies. It directly affects health plans covering Washington residents and aims to sustain crisis care access as mandated by existing mental health parity laws.