News

The Health Care Authority (HCA) has advised WSHA that a number of outpatient hospital claims paid through the ProviderOne system over the last six weeks were paid at incorrect grouper weights rates and will be reprocessed though a mass adjustment process. The payment error was made as HCA began to prepare for a July 1st update to its outpatient Enhanced Ambulatory Payment Group (EAPG) payment system. ... Read More >>

elehealth interventions produce positive outcomes when used for remote monitoring, communication and counseling for patients with chronic conditions and for psychiatric services provided as part of behavioral health, according to a new report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.... Read More >>

A new analysis commissioned by the American Hospital Association (AHA) examines the fundamental design flaws of star ratings, and whether it is an accurate tool to compare hospital performance. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) star ratings system was designed to help consumers, their families and caregivers compare facilities.... Read More >>

SHA and the Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) announced July 6 the launch of a joint task force to develop solutions to address the growing opioid epidemic, with an eye toward ways physicians and hospitals can play a more active role in tackling this issue. The task force will focus on driving appropriate prescribing and other best practices to help reduce prescription opioid addiction and overdose, also advancing key legislative proposals and policy initiatives.... Read More >>

The UW Psychiatry and Addictions Case Consultation series (UW PACC) is a new program designed to expand the mental health and addictions care capacity of health care professionals in remote, underserved areas of Washington. The program offers telehealth resource support to build the confidence and skills of providers who care for patients with mental, addictions, and behavioral health conditions.... Read More >>

The Department of Labor & industries (L&I) has launched the “Stay at Work” Program, which provides financial incentives to state fund employers who bring their injured workers back to light duty following an on-the-job injury claim.... Read More >>

The Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) and the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) announced today the launch of a joint task force to develop solutions to address the growing opioid epidemic, with an eye towards ways physicians and hospitals can play a more active role in tackling this issue.... Read More >>

Hospitals are making some progress to achieve health equity, but more work needs to be done, according to a biennial benchmarking survey released June 22 by the AHA’s Institute for Diversity in Health Management. The survey found significant increases from 2013 in the percentage of hospitals that are using data on patient race, ethnicity and language to identify gaps in care and implement programs to improve quality.... Read More >>

Medicare accountable care organizations are associated with modest reductions in spending and use of hospitals and emergency departments, according to a study published last week by JAMA Internal Medicine. The study compared changes in spending and usage for beneficiaries cared for by ACO physicians and non-ACO physicians between January 2009 and December 2013.... Read More >>

Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell this week introduced legislation to delay enforcement of federal rules requiring “direct” supervision of therapeutic services provided in hospital outpatient departments through the end of 2016. Cantwell staff say they hope to move the bill through the Senate before the July recess. Sen. John Thune (R-SD) cosponsored the bill; similar legislation is pending in the House of Representatives.... Read More >>