News

During its regular 2021 session, the Washington State Legislature passed two bills regarding the production or purchasing, distribution, and access of pharmaceuticals.... Read More >>

This bulletin provides information for hospital contracting staff to consider as they identify and respond to offers from carriers for public option plans. ... Read More >>

This past legislative session, the Washington State Legislature passed SHB 1616, bringing significant changes and expansions to the state charity care law (RCW 70.170).... Read More >>

The spectrum of medical therapies to treat COVID-19 continues to evolve and address SARS-CoV-2 variants. ... Read More >>

This bulletin provides hospitals information about HB 1761, a new law that revises RCW 70.41.480, which requires Emergency Departments (EDs) to distribute opioid reversal medication to patients at risk of an opioid overdose.... Read More >>

Providers that received CARES Act Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments between July 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020 (Period 2), totaling more than $10,000 must submit a formal report on their use of those funds via the reporting portal no later than 11:59 p.m. ET, Thursday, March 31, 2022.... Read More >>

The federal HRSA COVID-19 Uninsured Program (UIP) will stop accepting claims as the funds appropriated by Congress for the program are running out.... Read More >>

The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) is seeking input as it updates the notice of consumer rights under the state’s Balance Billing Protection Act to conform with the federal No Surprise Act.... Read More >>

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that it is replacing the existing Global and Professional Direct Contracting (GPDC) Model with an ACO REACH model for performance year 2023. ... Read More >>

Today, Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended through April 28 two emergency orders relating to COVID-19 testing services. The emergency orders requiring health insurers to waive copays and deductibles for COVID-19 testing and protect consumers from receiving surprise bills for lab fees related to medically necessary COVID-19 testing.... Read More >>