Washington
Tuesday, June 18th, 2013 Press Release
Fulfilling a promise to the community to make significant investments in advanced medical services and technology, today Swedish/Edmonds announced plans for a $63.5 million expansion at the existing hospital campus. Construction of a two-story, 77,000-square-foot facility will feature a new emergency department (ED) with a dedicated behavioral health unit and urgent care center. It will also include a new outpatient diagnostic imaging center, observation unit, front entry, and parking garage. The building’s second floor will be reserved for future expansion of hospital services. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2014, with completion of the ED and urgent care center in the fall of 2015. (more…)
Tags: Swedish
Posted in Hospitals, Washington |
Tuesday, June 11th, 2013 by Erin Thurston
As we shared earlier, HB 1947 was voted out of the Senate Ways & Means committee earlier today. The bill was substituted with a striker amendment which in effect removes all references to the premium tax revenue and the corresponding allocation to the health benefit exchange. Instead, funding is based entirely on assessments made on the plans on a per member per month basis. It directs the Exchange Board to establish a process to calculate the assessment amount and to collaborate with the insurance carriers, the Health Care Authority and the Office of Insurance Commissioner in setting the assessment and the assessment calculation and payment schedule. Sen. Keiser pressed staff as to how funding would allocated. (more…)
Tags: ACA, Get Covered Washington, Health Care Authority, Health Care Reform, Healthplanfinder, Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Washington Health Benefit Exchange, Washington State Legislature
Posted in Exchange, Latest, Washington |
Tuesday, June 11th, 2013 by Erin Thurston
Today marks the last day of special session in Olympia. State legislators have until midnight to come to agreement and pass the budget. Will that happen? All signs point to no. That means tomorrow will be the first day of the second special session. With the end of the fiscal year just 19 days away, the potential of a “government shutdown” is being discussed by some legislators.
Yesterday the House passed a stop-gap capital budget yesterday with bipartisan agreement, 83-10. This would make it possible for existing projects to continue to be funded past the end of the fiscal year, June 30 (assuming the Senate also passes the bill and Governor signs it). (more…)
Tags: Governor Jay Inslee, Sen. Andy Hill, Sen. Randi Becker, Special Session, Washington State Legislature
Posted in Exchange, Latest, Medicare, Washington |
Monday, June 10th, 2013 by Erin Thurston
Chris Blanton has left Cigna Pacific Northwest to serve as president of BridgeSpan, Cambia’s exchange affiliate. BridgeSpan will offer products on the exchanges in Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Blanton was president and general manager of Cigna Pacific Northwest.
More from the press release: (more…)
Tags: Bridgespan, Cambia Health Solutions, Chris Blanton, Cigna
Posted in Exchange, Idaho, News Releases, Oregon, Washington |
Monday, June 10th, 2013 by Erin Thurston
The Health Care Authority and the Department of Social and Health Services have announced Regence BlueShield and United Healthcare as the “apparently successful” bidders for HealthPath Washington’s new Medicare and Medicaid coordination project launching in King and Snohomish Counties in April 2014. The two other bidders, Molina Healthcare and Community Health Plan of Washington, were not selected for the project. (more…)
Tags: Dorothy Teeter, DSHS, dual eligibles, HCA, HealthPath Washington, Medicaid, Medicare, Regence, United Healthcare
Posted in Latest, Medicaid, Medicare, Washington |
Wednesday, June 5th, 2013 Press Release
$6 Million in Grant Funds Awarded to Help Consumers Enroll in a Health Plan that Fits Their Needs and Budget
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington Health Benefit Exchange today announced the selection of lead organizations to provide in-person assistance as part of the Washington Healthplanfinder Customer Support Program. Washington Healthplanfinder is a new way for people to find, compare and enroll in health insurance in Washington starting Oct., 1, 2013.
Ten organizations, including public health agencies, coalitions, regional health networks, and other community organizations, were chosen statewide to help residents enroll in a qualified health plan starting Oct. 1, 2013 for coverage that takes effect on Jan. 1, 2014. Lead organizations will share in the close to $6 million in grants funds being provided by the Exchange. These organizations and their service areas include: (more…)
Posted in Exchange, News Releases, Washington |
Friday, May 31st, 2013 by Erin Thurston
Special Assistant for Health Reform and Innovation (WMS Band 3)
The Department of Health, Office of the Secretary is searching for an innovative, strategic leader for the position of Special Assistant for Health Reform and Innovation who can effectively bridge clinical care and public health. This position is located in Tumwater, Washington. (Recruitment # DOH2009) (more…)
Tags: Jobs, Washington State Department of Health
Posted in Latest, Washington |
Friday, May 24th, 2013 by Erin Thurston
CMS made national news recently in a surprise release of Medicare data for charges and payments for hospitals around the country. Recently, the Everett Herald reposted the rates for Washington and looked at selected hospitals in King, Snohomish and Skagit counties.
While national headlines have been dramatic, for industry insiders it’s not really much of a surprise. Medicare rates are low. Billed charges are not real charges in that they don’t affect (more…)
Tags: Bitter Pill, CMS, Hospital, hospital payments, Medicare, Washington State
Posted in Hospitals, Medicare, Washington |
