News

Registration is now open for WSHA’s annual disaster readiness conference. We have another blockbuster roster of presentations this year, as well as our first post-conference workshop on preparedness and response to emerging infectious diseases. A pre-conference Basic Disaster Life Support course is scheduled on May 31, also in Wenatchee. ... Read More >>

The State Senate released its proposal for the 2016 supplemental budget today. The Senate takes a significantly different approach than the House to its budget proposal, making more cuts than the House did and leaving a much larger balance in the budget stabilization account. In addition, the Senate spends less.... Read More >>

In addition to the operating budget, the House and Senate capital budgets were both released today. WSHA’s interest in the capital budget is in the area of funding for new mental health facilities. WSHA is very pleased both the House and Senate capital budget contain significant new dollars for construction costs of mental health facilities.... Read More >>

We are very thankful for everyone who comes to Olympia to testify! Your testimony is essential for helping legislators and the public to understand the real impact of proposed legislation. Last week, we were pleased to have testimony from Cheryl Pell, RPh, from Medication Review, Inc.... Read More >>

The Washington State Health Care Authority has begun the process of updating its Medicaid payment methodology for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHC). HCA contracted with a consultant, Health Management Associates, to provide technical assistance as it meets with stakeholders to develop a successor to the current payment methodology. ... Read More >>

The Health Care Authority is planning significant changes to Apple Health enrollment. Under a new policy effective April 1, 2016, enrollees will be retroactively assigned to a managed care plan as of the beginning of the month the patient is enrolled, rather than at the beginning of the month following enrollment. ... Read More >>

The Health Care Authority released an updated Frequently Asked Questions sheet related to changes to inpatient payment to reflect potentially preventable readmissions. ... Read More >>

Washington Hospital Services Industry Partner PARA HealthCare has written an article about some of the consequences relating to the delay in payment by CMS for drug screen codes G0477-G0438 and Flu vaccine 90360, and is offering some solutions. ... Read More >>

While the legislature continues to debate hundreds of policy bills, budget writers are also focusing on crafting a supplemental budget for 2016-2017. The legislature enacted a biennial budget for 2015-2017, ... Read More >>

Bills that WSHA is testifying on for the week of Feb. 22-26.... Read More >>