News

Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized and posted its Medicare Outpatient Observation Notification (MOON) form. ... Read More >>

Wednesday Governor Inslee released his state budget proposal, which includes more funding for mental health services but unfortunately also includes a cut of $42 million over the two year period for services to Medicaid enrollees at hospital-based clinics... Read More >>

Governor Inslee released his proposed budget for the next biennium on Wednesday afternoon. The big news is that it includes $4.4 billion in new revenue, allowing for significant spending increases in education, behavioral health services and salary increases for state employees.... Read More >>

President Obama signed the Cures bill into law this week. The centerpieces of the catch-all bill are aimed at speeding up the process for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of new drugs and medical devices, and boosting reach funds for National Institutes of Health (NIH). Sen. Patty Murray was instrumental in the development of the FDA and NIH provisions.... Read More >>

Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized and posted the Medicare Outpatient Observation Notification (MOON) form. Finalizing the form was the last outstanding piece needed to implement the Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility Act (NOTICE Act), which requires hospitals to notify Medicare and Medicare Advantage enrollees orally and via the standardized form when the patient is placed in observation status rather than being admitted as an inpatient. ... Read More >>

The Washington Health Benefit Exchange is encouraging Washington Healthplanfinder customers to take early action to secure health and dental coverage that begins at the New Year. Residents have until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, December 23 to sign up for coverage with a start date of January 1.... Read More >>

Today, Governor Jay Inslee released his proposed budget for the 2017-2019 biennium. As has generally been the case in recent years, increased revenues from improving economic conditions are being subsumed by multi-billion dollar, court-ordered funding requirements for basic education. Expansion and reform of the state behavioral health system is a high funding priority, one which WSHA strongly supports.... Read More >>

The Senate this week approved a catch-all health bill, sending it to the president for his signature. The centerpieces of the bill are aimed at speeding up the process for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of new drugs and medical devices, and boosting reach funds for National Institutes of Health (NIH). Sen. Patty Murray was instrumental in the development of the FDA and NIH provisions.... Read More >>

Senate Republicans this week said they plan to move quickly in early January to start repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), agreeing with House Republicans on a “repeal and delay” strategy under which parts of the ACA would remain in effect for several years while lawmakers devise a replacement.... Read More >>

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is seeking rural health clinics interested in piloting a new alternative payment model (APM). The pilot will also include interested federally qualified health centers. Facilities interested in piloting the new model must sign a letter of intent by December 31, and work with HCA to finalize a memorandum of understanding in the following months. ... Read More >>