Registration will open next week for the WSHA & AWPHD 40th Annual Rural Leadership Conference in Chelan, and you will be able to register online here. This year’s theme is “Point of View,” and we will be exploring health care through various perspectives, such as how hospitals and health systems are viewed by the community, consumers, health care executives and board members.... Read More >>

As the warmth of spring returns and the snow begins to melt away, it’s time for us to get ready for the WSHA & AWPHD 40th Annual Rural Hospital Leadership Conference in Chelan June 26-29!... Read More >>

WSHA hosted a one-hour webinar Feb. 23 to provide basic information and answer questions on Link4Health, the state’s effort to advance electronic exchange of clinical records and transform health care. This new program, sponsored by the Health Care Authority (HCA), is intended to provide real-time information exchange among providers caring for Medicaid patients. ... Read More >>

WSHA hosted a webinar from 12-1 pm Feb. 23 to provide basic information and answer questions on Link4Health: the state’s effort to advance electronic exchange of clinical records and transform health care. This new program, sponsored by the Health Care Authority, is intended to provide real-time information exchange among providers caring for Medicaid patients. The state has partnered with OneHealthPort, the state-designated health information exchange, on this initiative.... Read More >>

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 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 >>