The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is beginning the process of updating the Medicaid payment methodology for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics. HCA is in the final stages of contracting with a technical assistance consultant to work with stakeholders to develop a successor to the current alternative payment methodology (APM). The new methodology is intended to be less administratively cumbersome than the current APM, and better support improvements to quality and innovation. At this point, the meetings are expected to occur between January and May 2016, resulting in a proposal to be submitted to CMS for approval. HCA has provided a background paper regarding the APM development process.
Stakeholders will include the associations representing the FQHCs and Rural Health Clinics. WSHA will be part of the stakeholder group, working closely with the Rural Health Clinic Association of Washington (RHCAW), and also attending representing rural health clinics. Andrew Busz, WSHA Policy Director, Finance will be attending for WSHA and will communicate the progress of the APM development process. If you have questions or input, please contact Andrew at andrewb@wsha.org or (206) 216-2533.
