News

Yesterday, the state Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) released stakeholder draft legislation modifying the state’s existing Balance Billing Protection Act (BBPA)... Read More >>

On November 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that increases Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system rates by a net 2.0% in calendar year 2022 compared to 2021. ... Read More >>

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is seeking stakeholder input on how to make its provider billing guides and fee schedules more user friendly. ... Read More >>

A recent extension of the federal public health emergency through January 14, 2022, will continue to provide much needed help for the state, hospitals and providers, and patients during the COVID emergency. ... Read More >>

Chapter 49.62 RCW requires the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) to establish annual enforceability thresholds for noncompetition agreements between employers and their employees and/or independent contractors. ... Read More >>

The Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) presented Confluence Health CEO Dr. Peter Rutherford with the 2021 Joe Hopkins Memorial Award during the association’s Annual Meeting eSeries event Oct. 28.... Read More >>

Congratulations our 2021 Community Health Leadership Award winners: Washington Medical Coordination Center at UW Medicine/Harborview Medical Center, Kittitas Valley Health Care and Kittitas Valley Incident Management Team, Samaritan Healthcare, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and Swedish!... Read More >>

Washington is currently working to redesign the crisis system throughout the state and for the implementation of 988 – a national behavioral health crisis line to connect individuals and families in crisis with the help and support they need.   ... Read More >>

During its regular 2021 session, the 67th Washington State Legislature passed two bills regarding the production or purchasing, distribution and access of pharmaceuticals. Senate Bill 5195 directs the Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) to establish a bulk purchasing and distribution program for “opioid overdose reversal medication” (2SSB 5195.SL).... Read More >>

For our continued recognition of International Infection Prevention Week (Oct. 17-23, 2021), we wanted to share some of the history of infection prevention development.... Read More >>