Section 388-877-0654. How individuals can express concern about their rights, services, or treatment.

(1) An individual applying for, eligible for, or receiving mental health services or substance use disorder services, or both, authorized by a behavioral health organization (BHO), the individual's representative, or the individual's legal guardian, may access the BHO's grievance system to express concern about their rights, services, or treatment. The grievance system includes:

(a) A grievance process;

(b) An appeal process; and

(c) Access to administrative hearings.

(2) Before requesting an administrative hearing, the individual must exhaust:

(a) The grievance process, subject to WAC 388-877-0660; or

(b) The appeal process, subject to WAC 388-877-0670.

(3) Individuals may also use the free and confidential ombuds services through the BHO that contracts with the behavioral health agency in which they receive behavioral health services. Ombuds services are provided independent of BHOs and agency services providers and are offered to individuals at any time to help them with resolving issues or problems at the lowest possible level during the grievance, appeal, or administrative hearing process.

(4) See WAC 388-865-0262 for more information on ombuds services through the behavioral health ombuds office.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.02.290, 70.02.340, 70.96A.040(4), 71.05.560, 71.24.035 (5)(c), 71.34.380, and 2014 c 225. WSR 16-13-087, § 388-877-0654, filed 6/15/16, effective 7/16/16.]

RCW 70.02.290, 70.02.340, 70.96A.040(4), 71.05.560, 71.24.035 (5)(c), 71.34.380, and 2014 c 225. WSR 16-13-087, § 388-877-0654, filed 6/15/16, effective 7/16/16.

Rules

388-877-0660,388-877-0670,388-865-0262,