This bulletin provides hospitals information about 2SSB 5195, a new law requiring hospital emergency departments (EDs) and many behavioral health settings (defined below), such as inpatient psychiatric units and psychiatric hospitals, to dispense or distribute opioid overdose reversal medication to patients at risk of an opioid overdose for individual use after discharge. The purpose of the new law is to have individuals at-risk of an opioid overdose leave hospitals and behavioral health settings with opioid overdose reversal medication. Hospitals will also have to provide patients at risk of an opioid overdose with information about medications for opioid use disorder and harm reduction strategies.[i]  The requirements for hospital EDs and behavioral health settings are effective January 1, 2022.... Read More >>

WSHA wants to ensure members are aware of the option to include the nurse technician (student nurse) role at your hospital, clinic or long-term care unit... Read More >>

The Health Care Authority (HCA) is requiring a new prescription monitoring program (PMP) check requirement for outpatient prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances to Apple Health patients beginning Oct. 1, 2021... Read More >>

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) announced that “PQAC inspectors will be resuming routine inspections soon.”... Read More >>

The Department of Health (DOH) issued a reminder regarding the Prescription Monitoring Program-Electronic Health Record integration mandate that is currently delayed until Jan. 1, 2022... Read More >>

Washington State is seeking applications from rural non-profit hospitals, clinics, PHDs, FQHCs, Federally recognized Tribes and local government entities for sub-awards ranging from $25,000 to $1 million... Read More >>

Effective October 1, the Washington state Health Care Authority (HCA) will increase the Medicaid professional fee schedule amounts for designated behavioral health, primary care, and pediatric critical care services. ... Read More >>

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced last Friday that they will release $25.5 billion in COVID-19 Provider Relief Funds and rural funds previously authorized by Congress. ... Read More >>

WSHA has prepared draft comments it plans to submit to CMS Friday regarding the Medicare Proposed 2022 Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) rule. ... Read More >>

WSHA’s Government Affairs team recently published its update to its State Regulatory Issues webpage. ... Read More >>