News

The session is off to a quick start, and WSHA will be addressing the following major legislation this week.... Read More >>

WSHA issued a new bulletin about two important changes to Washington State’s telemedicine laws. As of Jan. 1, 2021, Washington State’s telemedicine payment parity law is in full effect, which means payment for telemedicine services must be at the same rate as if the health care service were provided in person.... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide psychiatric hospitals and acute care hospitals with inpatient behavioral health programs or that accept Single Bed Certification guidance on when they may disclose information related to mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment to a patient’s family and other close relations without the patient’s consent.... Read More >>

Hearings and most voting will be held virtually this year due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to inform hospitals about two important changes to Washington State’s telemedicine laws. Washington State’s telemedicine payment parity law is in full effect as of January 1, 2021. Washington State’s mandatory telemedicine training for most health care professionals is now available and must be completed by June 30, 2021.... Read More >>

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), in collaboration with CDC, is enrolling Washington state residents in the COVID-19 Pregnancy Registry to conduct a surveillance project to monitor pregnant people who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 through the end of their pregnancy and up to delivery.... Read More >>

On December 21, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passed the 5,600-page Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which was later signed by the president. The package includes more than $900 billion in COVID-19 relief as well as $1.4 trillion to fund the federal government through the end of 2021. Besides COVID-19 relief provisions, the bill... Read More >>

On December 30, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the General Counsel released an advisory opinion concluding that drug manufacturers are required to deliver discounts under the 340B Drug Pricing Program on covered outpatient drugs when community pharmacies are acting as agents of 340B covered entities. Although advisory opinions do not carry... Read More >>

The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) recently posted a copy of its report to the legislature and data appendix of prior authorization metrics by major health insurance carriers. The reports are a result of Senate Bill 6404 passed during the 2020 legislative session – WSHA advocated strongly for passage of the bill.... Read More >>

WSHA’s Government Affairs team has published its update to its State Regulatory Issues webpage. Members will find a comprehensive view of state rulemaking activities that affect them. This month, the team is highlighting: Single Bed Certification Psychiatric Per Diem Rates PQAC Guidance on Access to Drugs Stored Outside the Pharmacy AGO Opinion on Collaborative Drug Therapy... Read More >>