News

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 >>

WSHA’s New Law Implementation Guide provides links to bulletins and other resources to assist member hospitals implement recent legislation. Recent bulletins include: ... Read More >>

On March 31, 2022, Governor Inslee signed E2SHB 1688 (Chap. 263, Laws of 2022) which aligns portions of the state’s Balance Billing Protection Act to the federal No Surprises Act and adds new provisions.... Read More >>

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently released two new sets of frequently asked questions related to the federal No Surprises Act.... Read More >>