American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN)

If you identify as American Indian or Alaska Native and are on Apple Health, you may choose your coverage for behavioral health services, just like for physical health services.

Do you need immediate assistance?

  • For a life-threatening emergency: Call 911.
  • For 24-hour suicide prevention or a mental health crisis: Call or text 988.
  • For substance use, problem gambling, or mental health support: Contact the Washington Recovery Help Line or the mental health crisis line in your area.

On this page

Behavioral health services coverage choices

Note: If you are eligible to receive care at an Indian Health Service (IHS) facility, Tribal health program, or urban Indian health program, you can receive care at those programs, and they may be able to help you find additional resources.

  What choices do I have for behavioral health services coverage?
Mental health services and substance use disorder treatment
  • Apple Health Managed Care
  • Apple Health coverage without a managed care plan
  • If your Apple Health program does not give you the option of choosing an Apple Health Managed Care plan for your physical health, mental health, and substance use disorder treatment services (e.g., Apple Health for Medicare enrollees) and you are enrolled in Apple Health coverage without a managed care plan, you will be given the option of choosing an Apple Health Managed Care plan for your behavioral health coverage (mental health and substance use disorder treatment services).

What do I need to do?

You will need to decide if you want your Apple Health coverage for behavioral health services from:

  1. One of the Apple Health managed care plans, or
  2. Apple Health coverage without a managed care plan (also referred to as fee-for-service).
If you choose: Then:
Apple Health managed care Your physical health, mental health, and substance use disorder treatment services will be managed by the managed care plan.
Apple Health coverage without a managed care plan (also referred to as fee-for-service) You will be able to seek physical health, mental health, and substance use disorder treatment services directly from a provider. You will want to make sure that the provider accepts Apple Health.

Note: If you are not given the option to choose one of the Apple Health managed care plans (e.g., you are enrolled in Apple Health for Medicare enrollees) and you choose one of the Apple Health managed care plans for your behavioral health, then:

  • You will be able to get physical health care services directly from a provider. You will want to make sure that your physical health care provider accepts Apple Health; and
  • Your mental health and substance use disorder treatment services will be managed by the managed care plan.

Can I change my behavioral health coverage?

Yes, you can change your selection at any time, but the change will not take effect until the first day of the following month. If you are connected or partnered with a Tribal Assister through a Tribal or Urban Indian Health Program, please contact them for assistance. The Health Care Authority can answer your questions by calling 1-800-562-3022.

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