A federal budget deal was reached and filed Oct. 26 that, beginning in 2017, would require that all new hospital-based physician services provided at “off-campus” locations be paid based solely on the physician fee schedule. Existing hospital-owned practices – as of the date of enactment – would be grandfathered and paid under the current provider-based rules. ... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to inform Prospective Payment System (PPS) hospitals of significant changes to their Medicaid hospital payment rates effective November 1. WSHA recommends they file a rate appeal with the Health Care Authority (HCA).... Read More >>

The Department of Health (DOH) has adopted rules to further define standards for access to patient information in the state’s Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System (CHARS). WSHA worked with the DOH to offer comments and voice concerns during several stakeholder workshops, and appreciated the opportunity to participate in the pre-rulemaking process. ... Read More >>

The state is seeking applicants for new committees focusing on accelerating the work of transformation in Washington State.... Read More >>

One of my favorite fall rituals is the arrival of our ballots for the November elections. I love public policy and I love to vote. Participating in our democracy is such an amazing privilege. This fall, mostly local elections and local issues dominate our ballots. There is, however, an important statewide vote that would have enormous impacts on hospitals and health systems: Initiative 1366. The WSHA Board of Trustees has voted unanimously for WSHA to oppose the initiative.... Read More >>

It’s that time again! Open enrollment for the Exchange’s individual market runs November 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016. Washington’s hospitals play a key role in helping patients enroll in either the Health Benefit Exchange’s subsidized health plans or Apple Health, depending on the enrollee’s income. Individuals and families can access enrollment for either program through Washington’s Healthplanfinder portal. ... Read More >>

This bulletin is intended to inform you of important changes in Washington state law as a result of enactment of Senate Bill 5593. The bill addresses two issues related to care for people in law enforcement custody: guarding and payment. First, on guarding, the bill requires that when law enforcement accompanies patients who are in custody for a violent offense or a sex offense into the hospital, law enforcement must continue to accompany or secure the patient, except in certain situations. Second, on payment, it establishes a default payment rate for services that are the responsibility of the law enforcement jurisdiction (in the absence of a negotiated agreement between the hospital and the law enforcement jurisdiction).... Read More >>

Fall is sometimes noted by the return of football, or the beginning of school, or the harvest or the equinox. But at WSHA, fall is truly marked by the Annual Meeting. Last week gave us our annual opportunity to scan the horizon and think deeply about how health care is changing to better meet patients’ needs.... Read More >>

Please join the Washington State Hospital Association, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, and the Association of Washington Cities for a webinar about important changes in Washington State law as a result of enactment of Senate Bill 5593,which went into effect July 24, 2015. This webinar is for hospital staff and staff of law enforcement entities and governing units affected by the bill. (The webinar will be recorded.)... Read More >>

This bulletin is intended to inform you of important changes in Washington state law as a result of enactment of Senate Bill 5593. The bill addresses two issues related to care for people in law enforcement custody: guarding and payment.... Read More >>