News

WSHA and member hospitals are participating a stakeholder group, along with the Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) to discuss HCA’s plan to revise its payment policy for potentially preventable hospital readmissions.... Read More >>

WSHA submitted a comment letter strongly opposing provisions in CMS’s proposed outpatient rule that would reduce by 25 percent payments for outpatient drugs provided by 340B eligible hospitals.... Read More >>

Hospitals are required to care for everyone who comes through the door with the most intense care that is needed and available, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. Hospitals are also required to help low-income patients cover their medical bills through charity care. This helps ensure that everyone is able to get the right care, at the right place, at the right time.... Read More >>

Thank you to all the leadership teams and individuals who have supported the Washington Hospital Political Action Committee (WHPAC)! As our way of saying thank you, we would like to invite donors of more than $350 to dinner at the Seattle Aquarium on Wednesday, October 11, the evening before our Annual Member Meeting.... Read More >>

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) in August announced a new clinical policy on opioid prescribing for Apple Health (Medicaid). This new policy takes effect October 1 and is intended to support providers in achieving appropriate opioid prescribing patterns. HCA will host two one-hour webinars for prescribers and pharmacists on Monday, September 11 from noon to 1 p.m. and Tuesday, September 19 from 7-8 a.m. We strongly encourage providers to participate.... Read More >>

The Washington State Pharmacy Commission (PQAC) is conducting a comprehensive rewrite of its regulatory rules (more than 300 pages) in an effort to streamline and modernize Washington’s pharmacy rules. This work will begin at PQAC’s initial stakeholder meetings September 13-15. WSHA has advocated for the past three years that PQAC modernize its rules. Many of PQAC’s rules are outdated and no longer represent best practice or current realities.... Read More >>

August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day. With more than 52,000 overdoses in the U.S. in 2015, this day represents a time for us to remember those who have prematurely lost their lives, and to commit to taking action to address the opioid crisis. Given the impact of this crisis on our community, it is likely that we have all been touched by this issue or know of someone who prematurely lost a loved one to an overdose.... Read More >>

The Health Care Authority (HCA) is revisiting its payment policy for potentially preventable readmissions for hospitals and Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs).... Read More >>

WSHA, as part of the Washington Healthcare Forum, expressed concerns in a letter about a recent proposal from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) to issue new rules on... Read More >>

At WSHA’s request, HCA and Myers and Stauffer, LLC recently hosted a webinar to provide hospitals with background and additional information on their audit of Medicaid electronic medical records (EHR) incentive payments.... Read More >>