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 >>

The Health Care Authority (HCA) is planning significant changes to Apple Health enrollment. Under a new policy effective 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. HCA will be hosting a webinar on March 17, from 2:00- 3:00 p.m. to provide information regarding the changes and answer questions.... Read More >>

Washington Hospital Services Industry Partner PARA HealthCare Financial Services has written an article that offers strategies for moving toward a meaningful and accessible pricing transparency model while at the same time reducing bad debt, improving upfront collections, and providing high quality customer service.... Read More >>

The Medicare Provider Reimbursement Manual requires hospitals to adjust their Medicare cost reports to eliminate the portion of association dues related to lobbying expenses. For calendar year 2015, the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) has determined 21 percent of its membership dues were expended in activities that meet the Medicare definition of lobbying. For the Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts (AWPHD), 18 percent of its membership dues were used for lobbying. ... Read More >>

In a joint letter WSHA and the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems strongly opposed site neutral payment policies on provider-based hospital outpatient departments. Submitted to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, the letter was in response to a request for provider feedback on these policies.... Read More >>

WSHA hosted a one-hour webinar Feb. 23 to provide basic information and answer questions on Link4Health, the state’s effort to advance electronic exchange of clinical records and transform health care. This new program, sponsored by the Health Care Authority (HCA), is intended to provide real-time information exchange among providers caring for Medicaid patients. ... Read More >>

The state House and Senate released their respective proposals for the 2016 supplemental budget last week. The House proposed spending significant money on teacher salary increases and homelessness prevention.... Read More >>

he Health Care Authority is planning significant changes to Apple Health enrollment. Under a new policy effective 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 >>

The Washington State Health Care Authority has begun the process of updating its Medicaid payment methodology for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHC). HCA contracted with a consultant, Health Management Associates, to provide technical assistance as it meets with stakeholders to develop a successor to the current payment methodology. ... Read More >>

The Health Care Authority is planning significant changes to Apple Health enrollment. Under a new policy effective 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 >>