The Health Care Authority (HCA) is revisiting its payment policy for potentially preventable readmissions for hospitals and Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs). HCA has created a draft proposal as a starting point for discussions with hospitals and MCOs. To help us advocate for a clear, objective, and reasonable policy, WSHA needs hospital input by email by September 5. Please comment on the proposal and provide specific suggestions for improvement to Chelene Whiteaker, Senior Director, Policy Development at chelenew@wsha.org. This request was also sent directly to hospital CFOs, Chief Nursing Officers, and Government Affairs staff.
HCA is moving very quickly with a final determination on its position by September 20. The new proposal may apply to all hospitals, including critical access hospitals. It also may result in savings (for the MCOs) which exceed the current approach. We are concerned with the short time frame and some of the specifics in the opening draft HCA proposal. We expect multiple drafts as we work out this payment policy and we will share future versions. (Chelene Whiteaker, chelenew@wsha.org).
