News

The Health Care Authority (HCA) is encouraging payers and providers to complete its survey on value based payments, “Paying for Value Survey: Measuring Health Care Payment and Delivery System Transformation in Washington State.” The survey will track movement towards value-based payment adoption, barriers to adoption, and implementation of accountable health care strategies.... Read More >>

The Health Care Authority is still in process of providing additional information on its changes to Apple Health enrollment under which clients will be retroactively enrolled in managed care from the beginning of the month. The information will be provided in the form of a Frequently Asked Questions document, generated in response to questions raises by WSHA and WSHA member hospitals.... Read More >>

As of April 1, the Southwest Washington region, containing Clark and Skamania County, is the first to go-live with behavioral health financial integration. This means that physical health services, all levels of mental health services and drug and alcohol treatment are coordinated through managed care plans.... Read More >>

The Washington State Legislature has reached agreement on a supplemental budget, bringing the 2016 state legislative session to a close. Overall, WSHA is very pleased with the results of this year’s session. The budget is very good for hospitals and health systems, provides significant new funding for mental health and makes no significant cuts to hospitals or health care. Additionally, important funding was provided to implement many of the WSHA-supported policy bills.... Read More >>

The Washington State Legislature has reached agreement on a supplemental budget, meaning the legislature can soon conclude its special session. Overall, WSHA is very pleased with the results of the 2016 state legislative session. The budget is very good for hospitals and health systems, provides significant new funding for mental health and makes no significant cuts to hospitals or health care. Additionally, important funding was provided to implement many of the WSHA-supported policy bills.... Read More >>

Next Monday is the start of the 2016 session of the Washington State legislative session. Although it's scheduled to be a short one (and we all hope it will be), it doesn't mean important work can't be done. ... Read More >>

Both the state and federal government are adopting bundled payments for total hip and knee replacements as an attempt to move to value-based purchasing. On March 17, the state Health Care Authority (HCA) announced that Virginia Mason Hospital & Medical Center will serve as its center of excellence for state employees and others covered under the Public Employees Benefits Board plan. Beginning in January 2017, the HCA will provide incentives for their employees to select Virginia Mason for this procedure.... Read More >>

On March 9, Steven Saxe, R.Ph, FACHE was named the acting executive director for the Washington State Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission. He will replace Lisa Hodgson, who formerly held the position. Steven is a graduate of the Washington State University College of Pharmacy and previously served as the executive director for the then Pharmacy Board in 2004.... Read More >>

The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is considering changes to its administrative policy on rest breaks. L&I is considering a new requirement of a rest break standard provided in a single “blocked” period of time. Currently, intermittent rest breaks are allowed. The changes they are considering would affect hospital employees as well as all non-agricultural workers.... Read More >>

On April 28 from 10:00-11:30 a.m., HCA will be hosting webinar to provide hospital staff an explanation of the quarterly hospital reports HCA sent each facility as part of its Potentially Preventable Readmissions (PPR) program, which replaces denial of individual inpatient readmissions with prospective adjustments to inpatient payment rates. ... Read More >>