As with other areas in the United States, fentanyl has flooded Washington state. Overdose deaths were up 200% last year and are still rising overall. 1 in 200 people used heroin in Washington state in the last year. In any given year, roughly 4% of the population in Washington is struggling with a substance use disorder linked specifically to illicit drugs.
As the homeless crisis grips communities up and down the I-5 corridor on the West Coast, Washington state has seen a dramatic increase in visible homelessness and addiction problems. The state has responded by promising to increase access and availability of addiction treatment services in Washington. Washington’s governor has requested that the legislature approve $60 million in additional federal funding for increasing the number of beds available for addiction treatment.
There are more than 100 licensed addiction treatment centers in operation in the state of Washington, but the numbers clearly demonstrate that the state has a need for treatment over and above the existing services in place. Read on to learn more about what you need to know before you open an addiction treatment center in Washington state.
Residential Treatment Facilities in Washington Need to Get Licensed by the State
Washington calls residential addiction treatment centers “RTFs,” which is short for residential treatment facility.
According to the Department of Health, all RTFs must get licensed by the state before opening or advertising services in Washington:
A current license issued by the Department of Health is required before operating or advertising a residential treatment facility. A license is effective for one year from the date it was issued.
Before You Begin Your Application for State Licensure, Your Addiction Treatment Center Needs to Contact the RTF Program Manager
Unlike other state health departments, Washington’s Department of Health does not want to receive your application for licensure out of the blue. They request that before you begin working your way through the application packet and various attachments and approvals that you reach out directly to the RTF Program Manager at 360-236-2937 to let them know that you’re interested in beginning the application process.
The Application Packet for Addiction Treatment Center Licensing in Washington is Straight-Forward
Washington’s Residential Treatment Facility License Application Packet is a straight-forward 11 page document that includes contact information, an application instruction checklist, the actual license application, a sign-able disclosure statement and additional links and contact information if you get stuck. A complete application includes the contents of this application packet, but there are additional attachments you’ll need to provide, as well.
Here’s a list of some of the items you’ll likely need to include in your application:
Signed application
Copy of Master Business License
Enclosed fee
Floor plan
Policies and procedures manual
Background checks for the administrator/director
Disclosure statement
Level of care information
Number of inpatient beds
Fire inspection information
“Other information as required by the department”
The “Bed Fee” for Licensed Addiction Treatment Centers in Washington is Incredibly High
While some states charge a flat fee for every initial application they receive from addiction treatment centers wishing to open a location in their state, Washington leans heavily on bed fees. In addition to an administrative processing or “initial application fee” of $204, Washington also assesses a whopping $190 fee per bed (aka a “bed fee”).
For a facility with 20 beds, the upfront licensing fee will be $4,004. Annual licensing fees for this same facility would be $3,800 per year. These are some of the highest licensing fees we’ve seen here at Behave Health.
Washington also charges a per-bed late fee for late renewal applications, as well as a hefty fee for any follow-up site visits triggered by compliance issues or substantiated complaints.
Applications for Addiction Treatment Center Licensing in Washington Are Processed on a Timely Basis - At Least Initially. Expect an Inspection.
All applications are initially reviewed within a few days in Washington.
This is unlike the initial review process in other states, like Virginia, where applications can take months to complete an initial review.
Inspections are required for all new applications. You’ll also receive state inspections at regular intervals to maintain your license in good standing once it’s been issued. In Washington, the inspection is done by nurses and public health advisors. In addition to reviewing the physical space for any public health issues or code violations, inspectors will also audit your clinical program to ensure that they meet certain standards established by the state.
Behave Health Can Help You Open an Addiction Treatment Center in Washington
Behave Health is committed to making it easier - and more profitable - to operate evidence-based, results-focused addiction treatment centers.
Our all-in-one app puts clinical, administration, staff, admissions, alumni, residents, treatment plans, billing, insurance authorizations and more - all at your fingertips.
Get your free trial started today and see why more addiction treatment centers prefer Behave Health.
Need help with certification? Behave Health can also help direct you to the right resources for help with Licensing or Accreditation by either The Joint Commission or CARF. Mention to your product specialist that you’re interested in this service after you start your free trial!