News

With the surge in employees needing to wear protective face pieces, or respirators, it is still vitally important to follow the interim guidelines approved by both Washington State Labor and Industries and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.... Read More >>

While the counties in the Puget Sound region are at the center of the COVID-19 outbreak, the impact is being felt across the state.... Read More >>

The Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) has distributed funds totaling $75 million to state agencies and institutions to use to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak crisis. ... Read More >>

The Washington Medical Commission released a statement today clarifying its regulatory approach during the COVID-19 pandemic.... Read More >>

WSHA and the American Hospital Association (AHA) have advocated for significant federal funding for hospitals and providers in the wake of COVID-19. The central piece of that package is $100 billion in emergency funding to cover COVID-related impacts. As major news outlets are reporting, a deal was reached at 1 am EST this morning and... Read More >>

WSHA is providing to members a webinar Federal Reimbursement Under FEMA Public Assistance Policy on Thursday March 26 at 3 PM. While various legislative solutions are being considered to support hospitals for lost revenues and additional costs related to COVID-19, there is also the potential for financial support from FEMA. The FEMA Public Assistance Policy... Read More >>

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Health Care Authority (HCA) has taken several steps to expand the use of telehealth, including: Providing services through telephone interaction; Online digital interaction through a patient portal; and Video-based evaluation and management services. For Medicaid enrollees in both fee-for-service and managed care (see HCA guidance for billing codes), changes include:... Read More >>

WSHA Help. WSHA wants to provide help to our members with questions and issues related to billing and payment.  If you have questions, please send them to Andrew Busz at AndrewB@wsha.org or Claudia Sanders at ClaudiaS@wsha.org.  WSHA has assembled a small new group to help surface and address issues hospitals are experiencing related to billing... Read More >>

In response to the potential growth of Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, the Washington Health Benefit Exchange is offering a special enrollment period through April 8, 2020 to qualified individuals who are uninsured. Also, Washingtonians who have seen a change in income can visit Washington Healthplanfinder.org to see if they could qualify for additional savings on their... Read More >>

Alien Emergency Medical (AEM) clients can access care within the provider’s office setting (outside of the emergency department, inpatient and other outpatient settings) to diagnose and treat COVID-19. This is an expansion of regular AEM coverage which is limited to emergency and hospital services. The emergency rule can be viewed here. Read details regarding this... Read More >>