This section applies to enrollees receiving behavioral health services only (BHSO) under the integrated managed care (IMC) medicaid contract.

(1) IMC is mandatory for clients in eligible programs, but the agency may end enrollment or exempt clients from IMC based on WAC 182-538-130.

(2) If the agency ends enrollment or exempts a client from IMC, the client is required to enroll in behavioral health services only (BHSO). An exception to this requirement exists for American Indian and Alaskan native (AI/AN) clients. IMC including BHSO is optional for AI/AN clients.

(3) For BHSO enrollees, the MCO covers the behavioral health benefits included in the IMC medicaid contract, and the agency covers physical health services on a fee-for-service basis.

(4) The agency assigns the BHSO enrollee to an MCO available in the area where the client resides.

(5) A BHSO enrollee may change MCOs at any time for any reason with the change becoming effective the earliest possible date given the requirements of the agency's enrollment system.