News

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA), the Washington Health Benefit Exchange (HBE) and the Office of Insurance Commissioner (OIC) are co-hosting a webinar on the new public option plans that will be offered on the HBE starting Jan. 1, 2021, known as Cascade Care.... Read More >>

Across the state, many patients are stuck in hospitals because the patients can’t access appropriate care in their communities. ... Read More >>

The Washington State Department of Health has released the newest Maternal Mortality Review Panel report, examining maternal deaths from 2014 – 2016. ... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to inform hospitals of new legislation requiring hospitals and providers to notify the state Attorney General’s Office (AGO) of anticipated mergers, acquisitions, and contracting affiliations that meet state law definitions. ... Read More >>

On Monday, WSHA submitted comments on the Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s (OIC) proposed rule implementing House Bill 1065, the Balance Billing Protection Act (BBPA) enacted during the 2019 legislative session. Overall, WSHA is pleased with thoughtfulness and the direction of the rule. The proposed rule includes several changes specifically requested by WSHA, including: The change to definition of... Read More >>

The OIC will host and present a webinar regarding its implementation of the BBPA on November 13, 12:00-1:30 p.m. This is not a WSHA-hosted webcast, but WSHA believes it will provide a helpful general overview regarding OIC’s interpretation and implementation of the BBPA. WSHA recommends hospital and clinic staff responsible for compliance with BBPA provisions, including... Read More >>

In addition, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Office of Financial Management and Onpoint Health Data are offering two webinar training sessions for different audiences on the Surprise Billing Dataset on December 11. This dataset will provide information that may be used by arbitrators for purposes of the BBPA’s dispute resolution process. Median rate information from... Read More >>

In 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) required that all critical access hospitals (CAHs) use either the 2014 or 2015 Edition certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT) to meet the reporting requirements of the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program and successfully demonstrate meaningful use. CAHs may avoid the Medicare downward payment adjustments if... Read More >>

The 2020 OPPS APC final rule released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) last Friday continues to cuts to hospital payments that were determined unlawful under recent court decisions. The rule finishes phasing in the site-neutral reduction to 40 percent of the regular OPPS rate for clinic visits provided in grandfathered off-campus departments for... Read More >>

The Department of Health (DOH) is soliciting input for them to use in their preparation of cost/benefit analyses of requirements determined “significant” under the Administrative Procedures Act.  For your input please complete and submit a copy of the questionnaire to DOH to the appropriate link below. Responses to the questionnaire are due by November 21, 2019. You may submit... Read More >>