On April 26, Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended two existing emergency orders through May 28. The orders prohibiting health insurers from applying copays or deductibles on testing for the COVID-19... Read More >>
The purpose of this bulletin is to alert psychiatric hospitals licensed under RCW 71.12 to new requirements to notify Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) in advance of patient discharges, and to engage with MCOs in discharge planning for relevant patients. These new requirements, passed under SHB 1860 are effective June 9, 2022.... Read More >>
The spectrum of medical therapies to treat COVID-19 continues to evolve and address SARS-CoV-2 variants.... Read More >>
As part of ongoing work to understand the challenges facing children, youth, and young adults in accessing behavioral health care, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) Children & Youth Behavioral Health Workgroup is seeking community feedback.... Read More >>
This bulletin provides information regarding changes to the state’s Balance Billing Protection Act (BBPA) made during the 2022 legislative session to conform to the federal No Surprises Act (NSA) and expanded protections under the BBPA. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1688 (HB 1688) was signed by Governor Inslee and became effective March 31, 2022. This bulletin also provides information regarding how the two Acts apply to various services and enrollee categories.... Read More >>
The Spring 2022 Washington Health Workforce Sentinel Network survey is now open, giving you and your organization a unique opportunity to share workforce needs with policymakers, planners and educators.... Read More >>
Over the last decade, WSHA has strongly advocated for increased access to behavioral health care. We are especially pleased – after five years of advocacy - that Medicaid will be expanding coverage of outpatient services to children and youth. ... Read More >>
Confluence Health CEO Dr. Peter Rutherford told the Health Care Cost Transparency Board last week that Confluence’s hospitals needed increases in its commercial rates to sustain its operations, since there are either low and no payment increases from Medicare and Medicaid.... Read More >>
In 2021, the Washington State Legislature passed two bills regarding the production or purchasing, distribution and access of pharmaceuticals.... Read More >>
Washington State’s Health Care Cost and Transparency Board, made up of state agency representatives, consumer representatives and others, continues to discuss levers and strategies the state might employ to reduce the growth in health care spending.... Read More >>
