News

Safe staffing is a crucial component of patient safety, but mandating inflexible nurse staffing ratios or stringent meal and rest break requirements does not improve patient care or outcomes. Staffing ratios, also called patient assignment limits or minimum staffing standards, are mandated only in California and data does not demonstrate improved patient care. ... Read More >>

It can take more than a year to complete the provider enrollment process with a payer.... Read More >>

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently finalized a rule establishing new Medicare episode payment models for acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft and surgical hip/femur fracture treatment cases that do not involve joint replacement... Read More >>

WSHA reviewed a recent Final Rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services which could significantly impact payments Washington and others states receive through the Medicaid program.... Read More >>

As the legislature works this year to develop its four- year budget, the discussions in DC have large ramifications for Washington State’s budget... Read More >>

The Health Care Authority recently provided us with details on the proposed Governor’s budget cuts to hospital based clinics.... Read More >>

Since President Trump’s inauguration Friday, the stage has been set for the future of health care: an executive order that directs congress to take every action it can to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This order mostly serves a rhetorical purpose, but it’s a precursor to future congressional and executive branch action.... Read More >>

The Senate Health Care Committee and House Health Care & Wellness Committee had hearings this week on legislation to create an interstate physician licensure compact (HB 1337 and SB 5221). The compact would allow physicians to more efficiently become licensed to practice in multiple states. It would also allow Washington State to maintain local control and accountability of physicians’ licensure and disciplinary actions.... Read More >>

Like the rest of the U.S., Washington State is in the midst of an opioid crisis, and a recent report from the Washington Health Alliance highlights wide variation in how opioids are prescribed across the state. To help support providers and health systems with appropriate opioid prescribing, the Washington Health Alliance and the Dr. Robert Bree Collaborative have developed easy-to-use fact sheets based on national CDC guidelines.... Read More >>

February 1 is the first implementation date for providers to share electronic health record (EHR) Medicaid patient data via the Health Care Authority Link4Health Clinical Data Repository (CDR). When fully implemented, the Link4Health CDR will allow providers to access Medicaid patient records from other providers and facilities, and provide more robust information on a patient’s health history and treatment needs.... Read More >>