Washington's Health Care Authority awarded $1 million state innovation model grant

OLYMPIA -- Washington State Health Care Authority Acting Director MaryAnne Lindeblad announced today that the federal Department of Health and Human Services has awarded the state a $1 million "pre-testing assistance grant" to improve health care and ... - 02/22/2013

Implementing Emergency Room Best Practices Improves Care, Reduces State Medicaid Costs

Initial data shows improved health care coordination is a benefit to Medicaid clients and the state budget   SEATTLE—A new report on a collaborative effort of hospitals and physicians to reduce "unnecessary" emergency room visits and coordinate... - 01/24/2013

Health Care Authority Releases Annual Report on Employment Status of Medical Assistance Clients, Dependents

OLYMPIA – An annual report on the employment status of state medical assistance clients and their families shows that little has changed over the past five years – nearly one in 12 of those receiving state-sponsored medical coverage was employed for a... - 01/18/2013

Health Care Authority Prepares Website to Answer Medicaid Providers' Questions About Rate Increases

OLYMPIA - Washington State's Medicaid program, like all other states, is waiting for information from the federal government in order to finalize the rate increases for primary care providers promised under the Affordable Care Act. Under the health c... - 01/04/2013

Washington Health Benefit Exchange Names Apparent Successful Vendor for Call Center

Faneuil Inc. expected to provide statewide customer service starting next fall.   OLYMPIA – The Washington Health Benefit Exchange today named Faneuil Inc. the apparent successful vendor for the Exchange’s new call center. Faneuil is expected t... - 12/31/2012

HCA Announces Expanded Managed Care Options for Basic Health, Medicaid Clients in Clark County

OLYMPIA – The Health Care Authority announced today (June 1, 2012) that two new health plans have been added to the regional service area assignments for Clark County - the last of the state's 39 counties with final managed care arrangements for Medic... - 06/01/2012

Health Care Authority Releases Regional Service Area Awards in 2012-2013 Managed Care Procurement

OLYMPIA – The Health Care Authority announced today (February 7, 2012) the regional service areas tentatively assigned to the five health plans selected earlier as apparently successful bidders on a proposal to provide managed care for up to 800,000 M... - 02/07/2012

Health Care Authority Releases Apparently Successful Bidders in 2012-2013 Managed Care Procurement

OLYMPIA – The Health Care Authority announced on Tuesday that five health plans have been evaluated and qualified as apparently successful bidders on 2012-13 contracts that will provide managed care for more than 700,000 Medicaid clients and Basic He... - 01/17/2012

Seven Health Plans Submit Bids in Joint Procurement of Managed Care Medicaid and Basic Health

OLYMPIA – The Health Care Authority announced on Wednesday that seven health plans have submitted bids on a 2012-13 contract that will provide managed care for more than 700,000 Medicaid clients and Basic Health subscribers. The seven health plans, a... - 12/08/2011

Basic Health Will Offer Reenrollment to 11,000 Former Members

Letters are going out by the end of this week to 11,000 former Basic Health members who were removed from the state-subsidized health plan for low-income residents in March when eligibility was limited to those who were eligible under federal rules. ... - 10/26/2011

Health Care Authority’s List of Optional Budget Cuts Includes Disability Lifeline, Basic Health, Children’s Coverage

OLYMPIA – The Health Care Authority submitted optional budget cuts of 5 percent and 10 percent to the Governor’s office today, including termination of the Basic Health plan, an Apple Health for Kids program that covers immigrant children, and the Dis... - 09/22/2011

Health Care Authority to create innovative delivery system with joint procurement of Healthy Options, Basic Health

OLYMPIA – The Health Care Authority opened bidding today on a 2012 contract that will provide managed care for more than 700,000 Medicaid clients and Basic Health subscribers, establishing an innovative, person-centered and cost-effective health care ... - 09/13/2011

Health Care Authority Resets Date for Releasing Joint Procurement of Healthy Options, Basic Health

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Health Care Authority has reset the probable release date for a 2012 contract that will combine the Medicaid managed care program called Healthy Options with the state's Basic Health Plan, which provides coverage for the... - 07/14/2011

Supplemental Budget Update for Basic Health Members

Today the Legislature passed the 2011 Second Supplemental Budget. This budget preserves the Basic Health Plan (BHP), but reduces the program’s funding and limits eligibility. Effective March 1, 2011, only those enrollees who are determined t... - 02/18/2011

An Update for Basic Health Members

The supplemental budget bill that passed the Washington State House of Representatives on Monday doesn’t become law unless it is approved by the State Senate and signed by Governor Gregoire. We understand that Basic Health members are concerned about... - 01/25/2011

Washington State Medicaid receives federal approval of national health care reform "bridge waiver"

OLYMPIA - Gov. Chris Gregoire said today (Tuesday, Jan. 4) Washington state has received approval of its request for a Medicaid waiver that will let the state and federal government share the cost of the Basic Health plan and the Medical Care Services... - 01/05/2011

Five Counties Get Expanded Choices From Medicaid's 2011 Managed Care Plans

OLYMPIA – Medicaid families in five Washington counties will be able to access more managed care options this coming year with the Healthy Options program. - 01/04/2011

Governor's Supplemental Budget Recommendations for Medicaid and HCA

In a grim budget year, Medicaid received some good news on Friday, December 17. Governor Gregoire announced she was restoring six of the most painful proposed budget cuts in the Medicaid program, and she made it clear she is asking the Legislature to ... - 12/17/2010

Governor's Biennial Budget Recommendations for Medicaid and HCA

Here's the problem Governor Gregoire addressed today - of the approximately $35 billion state budget, we have the constitutional authority to change about $14 billion - only 40 percent of the total. It is important to stop and consider that we have a ... - 12/16/2010

Preston Cody Named to Head Division of Healthcare Services in State Medicaid Purchasing Administration

(OLYMPIA) –  Preston Cody, a veteran state health program administrator, has been selected as the new Director of the Division of Healthcare Services in the Medicaid Purchasing Administration, effe... - 10/18/2010

Washington Health Program Enrollment at 1,200 and Growing

(OLYMPIA, WA) – The Washington Health Program enrolled its 1,200th member last week, less than two months after the Health Care Authority (HCA) rolled out the new non-subsidized health coverage program for uninsured Washington residents. With more tha... - 09/01/2010

New Features Simplify Washington Health Online Application

To simplify the enrollment process for the new Washington Health program, we’ve added enhancements to the online application process. The online application is now integrated with the Standard Health Questionnaire (SHQ). This application also provides... - 06/29/2010

State Offers Low-Cost Health Coverage to Thousands of Uninsured

(OLYMPIA, WA) – With more than 100,000 people on a waiting list for the state’s Basic Health program, low-income Washington residents are finding few affordable options for health care coverage. To address this pressing need, the state is introducing... - 05/24/2010

Advance Directives Ensure You Get Your Way in the End

Americans like to plan birthday parties and anniversaries, but we are not as interested in planning how we want to spend the last days of our lives. Now is the best time to think about these important issues. Making, documenting, and communicating th... - 04/13/2010

How Different Types of People Will Be Affected by the Health Care Overhaul

On Tuesday, President Obama signed into law a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s health care system, approved by the Senate on Christmas Eve and by the House on Sunday. The House also adopted a package of changes — agreed to in negotiations among House... - 03/26/2010

History of Basic Health

Begun as a pilot project. Created in 1987 to provide access to health insurance for low-income Washington residents. A state-sponsored introduction to health care and health insurance. Everyone participates financially; an insurance program,... - 10/02/2009

Frequently Asked Questions - Basic Health Wait List

Is Basic Health (BH) disenrolling members? Due to legislation (ESHB 1244) and required budget reductions, Basic Health must reduce enrollment by approximately 40,000 members. Reductions must take place no later than January 1, 2010. Basic Health wil... - 10/02/2009

Frequently Asked Questions About Dually Eligible Members

Frequently asked questions about dually eligible members. - 07/31/2009

Basic Health will Increase Rates to Address $255 Million Budget Cut

Rate increases will allow continued coverage for enrollees SEATTLE – Basic Health, a state-subsidized health insurance program for the working poor, will increase rates for its enrollees rather than force anyone off the program.  Basic Health c... - 06/08/2009

2008 Basic Health Annual Report

Basic Health (BH) is a health care program administered by the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA). This program helps eligible Washington State residents pay for health insurance through state subsidies. - 03/13/2009