News

WSHA is in the process of preparing materials to help member hospitals meet federal observation notification requirements.... Read More >>

Many hospitals are struggling with significant numbers of patients who have completed their acute hospital stay, but for whom post-hospital placement cannot be found. This ties up acute care beds in hospitals that are already running at or near capacity. ... Read More >>

The Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) recently released proposed changes to the payment rules governing Medicaid payment to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and rural health clinics. The changes are intended to accommodate a new alternative payment model (APM) which HCA plans to pilot with a group of interested clinics effective January 1, 2017. ... Read More >>

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently released its final rule for inpatient prospective payment system rates. Compared to a total of $2.12 billion in inpatient payments for 2016, Washington hospitals are estimated to receive $2.10 billion in 2017. ... Read More >>

The Washington Poison Center (WAPC) welcomed its new medical director, Dr. Erica Liebelt, on September 1. A pediatric toxicologist, Dr. Liebelt will also serve as a clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine.... Read More >>

we are only six weeks away from our Annual PAC Appreciation Dinner and looking forward to another successful event. This year, our dinner will be on Thursday, Oct. 13 as part of WSHA’s Annual Meeting, and we are thrilled to announce that dinner will be at the Columbia Tower Club.... Read More >>

Access to care continues to be a paramount goal for WSHA in support of our member hospitals and health systems. When Medicare and Medicaid patients are seen at a hospital-based clinic, the clinic receives a higher payment for its services than a traditional physician’s office would. These payments are crucial, as hospital-based clinics have more regulatory requirements and see more Medicare and Medicaid patients, while many community physicians are limiting their panels.... Read More >>

The Department of Health is launching a pilot program for Rural Health Clinics to provide a technical assistance site visit and walkthrough of the recertification survey.... Read More >>

The Department of Health and Human Services announced on Aug. 31 that it will distribute $53 million in funding to 44 states — including Washington State — as well as four tribes and the District of Columbia to be used in the battle against opioid addiction.... Read More >>

In Olympia on Sept. 13 and Cheney on Sept. 15, the Department of Health (DOH) will provide free all-day telehealth financing and telehealth expansion workshops designed for rural hospital leadership, staff and board members. Each one-day workshop is intended to address telehealth funding opportunities along with how to bring and/or upgrade telehealth services in your community. ... Read More >>