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Learn how your child can be admitted into our CLIP programs.
The CLIP Voluntary Application process begins at the county level through the youth’s/adolescent’s health insurance.
Contact the CLIP Liaison in your county (BH-ASO/MCO), whom will start the process for screening.
The CLIP Liaison will work with you and your family on next steps needed to complete a CLIP Application/screening.
If the local committee determines eligibility is met your child’s application and supplemental materials are sent to the CLIP Administration for determination of medical necessity by the State Certification team.
How Admission to CLIP Works
Voluntary Applications:
Voluntary applicants and their legal guardian(s) must be residents of the state of Washington. This criterion is met if one of the following is true:
(a) Applicant is in the custody of the state of Washington or (b) Applicant is in the custody of his/her legal guardian who is a Washington State resident.
In addition, voluntary applicants must have a severe psychiatric illness that warrants intensive services in an inpatient setting.
Involuntary Commitment (ITA):
Under Washington State’s juvenile mental health services law (RCW 71.34), adolescents aged 13-18 may be committed for up to 180 days of involuntary inpatient psychiatric treatment. Under this 180-day restrictive court order, the adolescent becomes eligible for admission to a CLIP Program. The adolescent’s name is placed on the statewide waiting list as of the date of the 180-day Restrictive ITA order.
In accordance with the CLIP/BH-ASO/MCO Agreements, the ASO or MCO must review any voluntary CLIP application.
Voluntary applicants and their legal guardian(s) must be residents of the state of Washington. This criterion is met if one of the following is true:
(a) Applicant is in the custody of the state of Washington or
(b) Applicant is in the custody of his/her legal guardian who is a Washington State resident.
In addition, voluntary applicants must have a severe psychiatric illness that warrants intensive services in an inpatient setting.
The BHO-ASO/MCO refers children to the CLIP Administration only after consideration and approval of the application at the local level. Application requirements are comprehensive and include records that document the child’s inpatient and outpatient treatment, any out-of- home placements, school history and any other services the child may have received.
The CLIP Administration compiles a written summary that is submitted to the CLIP Certification Team for review. Based on the materials provided, the CLIP Certification Team determines whether an individual applicant meets Medicaid medical necessity criteria. If the CLIP Certification Team approves the application, the child’s name is placed on the statewide waiting list until a bed becomes available at the most appropriate CLIP Program.
Treatment
All children served in a CLIP Program are eligible for Medicaid funding while in residence. If the child has private insurance that covers psychiatric inpatient care, those benefits are also applied to the cost of stay. Read more about Medicaid.
The voluntary application process is a two-tiered process that begins with contacting your local BH-ASO/MCO representative. If a local decision is made to proceed with a referral to CLIP, the BH-ASO/MCO gathers all the application materialsand contacts the CLIP Administration. The CLIP Administration is the final authority for determining a child’s eligibility for admission.
Each child’s length of stay varies according to his/her individualneeds and progress toward treatment goals. The average length of stay 9 months. Children are returned to their home/community as soon as possible. The community partners including family, DSHS case worker, therapists, schools, etc., are expected to collaborate with the CLIP Program to assure appropriate discharge resources are in place prior discharge.