Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Corrections Reentry topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Walla Walla County OKs contracts with five managed-care organizations to support reentry case management
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners approved contracts with five managed-care organizations so the county can bill Medicaid for reentry case-management services if eligible under the state 1115 Medicaid waiver reentry initiative.
Walla Walla County commissioners voted May 19 to authorize county corrections staff to sign contracts with five managed-care organizations as a preparatory step for possible Medicaid billing tied to the state’s 1115 Medicaid waiver reentry initiative.
The decision, made 2–0 after a motion to approve Proposal 2025‑05‑19 (Corrections‑1), was intended to put agreements in place “in case some of the services that we’re going to be offering can be billed to Medicaid,” Corrections Commander Stephen Barker told the commissioners. Barker said the county is part of a cohort for the waiver reentry initiative and does not anticipate immediate billing, but needs the contracts to be able to bill if services qualify.
Why it matters: county corrections is planning reentry case-management services that might be billable under the waiver. Having pre‑existing contracts with managed‑care organizations (MCOs) removes an administrative barrier should the county begin offering billable services.
What was decided: Commissioner Clayton moved to approve the proposal; the motion passed 2–0. Barker said he will serve as contract manager and that executed agreements will route through the county’s deputy (Jesse) before signature.
Details and next steps: Barker described the action as preparatory — “the contracts will sit there unless we need them,” he said — and that some services may remain nonbillable. He also said the county could, in time, assist other organizations with billing. The motion authorized county staff to sign the listed MCO contracts as presented on the agenda.
Ending: County staff will proceed with final contract processing and return to the board for any matters requiring additional approvals or funding adjustments.
