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 >>

WSHA and member hospitals have expressed concerns regarding the Health Care Authority’s (HCA) changes to Apple Health enrollment. As of April 1, 2016, enrollees will be retroactively assigned to a managed care plan as of the beginning of the month the patient is enrolled, rather than at the beginning of the month following enrollment. ... 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 17th, the state Health Care Authority 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. ... Read More >>

Last week, the Department of Health (DOH) issued two requests for proposals to help establish its Practice Transformation Hub. The hub is a key part of the state’s plans to transform healthcare. The work is intended to provide assistance to primary care and behavioral health care practices statewide, especially small to medium size practices. ... Read More >>

On March 15, the Washington State Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the constitutionality of Initiative 1366, which was advanced by Tim Eyman and narrowly approved by voters in 2015. I-1366 would cut the state sales tax by one percent unless the legislature approves a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote to raise revenue or repeal any existing tax exemption.... Read More >>

On March 11, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell announced $94 million in Affordable Care Act funding to 271 health centers in 45 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to improve and expand the delivery of substance abuse services in health centers, with a specific focus on treatment of opioid use disorders in underserved populations.... Read More >>

As part of the U.S. government’s urgent response to the epidemic of overdose deaths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week issued new recommendations for prescribing opioid medications for chronic pain, excluding cancer, palliative, and end-of-life care. ... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to ensure hospitals are aware that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will be adding an overall hospital “star rating” to Hospital Compare. The new rating will be part of the April update to the site.... Read More >>

Today is scheduled to be the last day of this year’s short state legislative session. We are happy to report that many of the significant bills WSHA supports made it through both the House and Senate. We are continuing to work on the state budget, particularly focusing on mental health. The legislature could indeed adjourn today, but it looks likely that there will need to be some overtime to finish the budgets.... Read More >>

WSHA leadership recently had the opportunity to participate in a reception and reading with Dr. Damon Tweedy, author of “Black Man in a White Coat.” Dr. Tweedy is a Duke-trained psychiatrist dedicated to health equity, and his book was also the topic of a recent column by Jerry Large in The Seattle Times. He addressed the intersection of race and medicine as a medical student, physician and patient. ... Read More >>