United Health Care (UHC) recently announced two policy payment policy changes impacting hospitals. WSHA has grave concerns regarding these policies and is expressing our concerns to staff at the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC). We encourage hospitals and providers with concerns to also contact OIC.... Read More >>
Senate Bill 5169, requiring commercial insurance carriers to reimburse for personal protective equipment (PPE) costs during COVID-19, was signed into law April 16, 2021. The bill applies to services incurred from April 16 through the end of the federal public health emergency, which has now been extended to at least July 20, 2021. Under the... Read More >>
The Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) recently provided updated guidance regarding the tax exemption for certain emergency grants under Substitute House Bill 1095 passed during the 2021 legislative session. Previously, DOR instructed that organizations should delay reporting these funds in anticipation of the legislation. WSHA provided input to DOR and strongly supported the bill.... Read More >>
The US Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) on Monday sent letters to six major drug manufacturers, warning them that they could face steep fines if they don't discount drug prices for pharmacies that contract with 340B providers.... Read More >>
The Health Care Authority (HCA) announced it is now accepting template billing for administration of COVID-19 vaccines at mass vaccination sites. ... Read More >>
Under the new American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Washingtonians will find that the cost of their health insurance that is purchased on the Health Benefit Exchange, is temporarily more affordable.... Read More >>
We are very pleased the 2021-2023 Operating Budget enacted by the legislature provides significant investments in health care, including many of WSHA’s budget priorities. For more information see our recent Inside Olympia and detailed budget comparison document. WSHA is still gathering information on some of funding and payment increases. We will get more information out to members as it becomes available. The highlights are below.... Read More >>
On April 27, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its proposed FY 2022 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) rule. The rule would increase Medicare inpatient prospective payment system rates by a net 2.8 percent for hospitals that meet EHR meaningful use criteria and submit quality measure data. Other highlights include:... Read More >>
Providers will be able to bill and be paid for vaccine administration provided to enrollees of health plans that either do not cover vaccine administration or apply patient cost-sharing. Most state regulated insurers are required to cover the service without cost-sharing but self-funded plans do not have the same requirement.... Read More >>
The Department of Labor and Industries issued proposed rules to modernize the financial qualifications for self-insured employers. The rules require additional financial document disclosures to L&I to prove the employer has sufficient resources to cover workers’ compensation liabilities.... Read More >>
