The purpose of this bulletin is to inform hospitals about the new audio-only telemedicine regulations issued by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) that take effect December 22, 2021. ... Read More >>

This bulletin informs hospitals about a hospital transparency and reporting law passed in the 2021 Washington State legislative session. ... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to inform hospitals that the revisions to Washington State’s Notifiable Conditions regulations in chapter 246-101 WAC are delayed until January 1, 2023. ... Read More >>

This bulletin informs hospitals about behavioral health policy bills and budget items that passed with the assistance of WSHA’s advocacy during the 2021 legislative session. ... Read More >>

This bulletin provides hospitals with information on an upcoming change to behavioral health ombuds services, with implications for hospitals providing mental health, substance use disorder, and co-occurring disorder-related treatment services (referred to as “behavioral health”).... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to inform hospitals about revisions to Washington State’s Notifiable Conditions regulations in chapter 246-101 WAC that take effect January 31, 2022. ... Read More >>

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 >>

This bulletin provides hospitals information on E2SHB 1477, which will redesign Washington State’s crisis behavioral health services system and tie service delivery to 9-8-8, a universal three-digit telephone number for people to call when they or a loved one experiences a behavioral health crisis.... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide resources and information to hospitals and health care systems about the licensure process for Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). ... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to inform hospitals about the new prescription monitoring program (PMP) check requirement for outpatient prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances to Apple Health patients that takes effect October 1, 2021. ... Read More >>