COVID-19 admissions and prioritization of hospital discharges

Washington State Health Care Authority sent this bulletin at 08/11/2021 03:00 PM PDT

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COVID-19 admissions and prioritization of hospital discharges

The Health Care Authority (HCA) is sending this communication to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and hospitals, and was sent to MCOs earlier this week.

Hospital surge continues to raise to concerning levels in the ongoing public health emergency. COVID-19 admissions are on the rise across the state, and we are prioritizing hospital discharges. HCA has several strategies including:

Facilitating payment of a one time $6,000 incentive for new SNF admission of any Apple Health (Medicaid)-only client. HCA will communicate details of how this will be operationalized in coming days.
MCOs are expected to immediately implement a $100 a day incentive. This incentive has been case-by-case in recent months, and HCA now expects it to be applied to every new SNF admission.
MCOs are expected to expedite every prior authorization for hospitalized clients and issue a decision within 24 hours of request.

Points of contact

MCO contacts

AMG
Annette Kuhls, RN, BSN, CCM
Director, PH Utilization Management/Case Management
Mobile: (206) 305-5576
CCW
Leona M Parker, RN, BSN MBA
Senior Manager, Inpatient Utilization Management & Discharge Planning
Office: (253) 244-3626
Cell: (253) 241-8293
CHPW
Cyndi Stilson, RN, BSN, CCM
Manager of Transitions of Care
Phone: (206) 613-8817
Fax: (206) 652-7091
MHW
Laurie McCraney - UM Director
Phone: (888) 562-5442 ext. 141572
After Hours cell: (425) 599-5471
UHC
Marci Brand, RN, CCM
Interim Director of Medical Clinical Operations
United Healthcare Community Plan of Washington
Phone: (952) 202-4875

HCA contacts

Please email HCA MC Programs or Glory Dole and reference issue #24068.

About the Health Care Authority (HCA)

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is committed to whole-person care, integrating physical health and behavioral health services for better results and healthier residents.

HCA purchases health care for more than 2.5 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program, the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program, and the COFA Islander Health Care Program. As the largest health care purchaser in the state, we lead the effort to transform health care, helping ensure Washington residents have access to better health and better care at a lower cost.

Please do not reply directly to this message. For more information, visit the HCA website, where you'll also find contact information.

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Nondiscrimination

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) complies with all applicable federal and Washington state civil rights laws and is committed to providing equal access to our services. Visit HCA’s website to view complete nondiscrimination statements.