| carriers_not_paying_new_ppe_cpt_code_99072_file_a_complaint_with_the_oic | Carriers Not Paying New PPE CPT Code 99072? File a Complaint with the OIC | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2021/June_11/carriers_not_paying_new_ppe_cpt_code_99072_file_a_complaint_with_the_oic | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>June 10, 2021</h5>
<h2>Carriers Not Paying New PPE CPT Code 99072? File a Complaint with the OIC</h2>
<p>WSMA-championed <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5169&amp;Year=2021&amp;Initiative=false">Senate Bill 5169</a>, requiring commercial insurance carriers to reimburse for personal protective equipment costs during the pandemic, is now in effect. Physicians or health care providers treating patients with state-regulated commercial health plans that have incurred costs for PPE may now bill the newly created CPT code 99072 and be reimbursed $6.57 per patient encounter, as recommended by the AMA's RUC committee. </p>
<p>If you are experiencing challenges in receiving insurer reimbursement for this billing code, file a complaint with the state Office of the Insurance Commissioner <a href="https://www.insurance.wa.gov/file-complaint-or-check-your-complaint-status">here</a>. If practices experiencing issues with billing this code do not reach out to the OIC to file a complaint, the WSMA cannot advocate effectively. </p>
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<p>It is important to note that the law does not apply to self-funded plans (also known as "ERISA" plans), union-negotiated plans, personal injury protection plans, and patients from the state's Department of Labor &amp; Industries. If you are having difficulty identifying if a plan is self-insured, the OIC recommends reaching out to your insurance carrier representative to ask if the plan is regulated by the OIC. This is a yes or no question; if they are unable or unwilling to share that information, the OIC recommends filing a complaint.</p>
</div> | 6/10/2021 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| physician_practices_and_the_new_clean_buildings_law | Physician Practices and the New 'Clean Buildings' Law | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2021/June_11/physician_practices_and_the_new_clean_buildings_law | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>June 10, 2021</h5>
<h2>Physician Practices and the New "Clean Buildings" Law</h2>
<p><a href="http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2019-20/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/House/1257-S3.SL.pdf?q=20210110155926">House Bill 1257</a>, the Clean Buildings law, passed in 2019 and <a href="https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=194-50&amp;full=true">its regulations</a> were finalized in November 2020. Learn more about the new law and its applicability to physician practices below.</p>
<h3>Does the Clean Buildings law apply to medical practices? </h3>
<p>The law applies to covered commercial buildings located in the state of Washington that exceed 50,000 square feet (excluding the parking garage). A covered commercial building is a building where the sum of nonresidential, hotel, motel, and dormitory floor areas exceed 50,000 square feet, excluding parking garage area.</p>
<h3>Will physicians be notified if their practice is subject to the law? </h3>
<p>Yes. The state Department of Commerce is identifying buildings that are over 50,000 square feet throughout the state. Building owners can expect to receive a notification letter by July 1, 2021. The letter will include instructions on how to log into the Clean Buildings Portal to create an account, verify building characteristics, and apply for exemptions and incentives.</p>
<h3>What are the requirements established by the law?</h3>
<p>Building owners must implement energy efficiency measures for their buildings to meet specific targets established by the Department of Commerce. Building owners will be required to analyze their buildings' current energy use intensity; determine a compliance pathway; implement energy efficiency measures; and report to the Department of Commerce in accordance with their compliance schedule.</p>
<h3>When do they have to comply? </h3>
<p>Compliance dates are by building size:</p>
<ul>
<li>More than 220,000 square feet: June 1, 2026.</li>
<li>90,001-220,000 square feet: June 1, 2027.</li>
<li>50,000-90,000 square feet: June 1, 2028.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Are there exemptions? </h3>
<p>Yes. Exemptions apply as listed in <a href="https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=194-50-150">WAC 194-50 Annex Z4.1</a>. An exemption application can be submitted through the Clean Buildings Portal. Approved exemptions are only valid for the current compliance cycle.</p>
<p>See the Department of Commerce Clean Buildings <a href="https://www.commerce.wa.gov/growing-the-economy/energy/buildings/how-to-comply/">website</a> for complete info.</p>
</div> | 6/10/2021 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| updated_masking_and_visitation_guidance_for_health_settings | Updated Masking and Visitation Guidance for Health Settings | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2021/June_11/updated_masking_and_visitation_guidance_for_health_settings | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>June 10, 2021</h5>
<h2>Updated Masking and Visitation Guidance for Health Settings</h2>
<p>WSMA staff continue to hear from members regarding masking requirements in health care settings and guidance for visitors. The state Department of Health has provided updated guidance.</p>
<h3>State guidance on masking and visitation</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/631-100-SourceControlHealthcare.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Interim Guidance for SARS-CoV-2 Source Control in Healthcare Settings</a> - This updated Department of Health guidance outlines state masking requirements for visitors, patients, and health care personnel in health care settings.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/505-159-VisitorGuidance-InpatientHospitalOutpatientSettings.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Interim Guidance for Visitors in Inpatient Hospitals and Outpatient Settings During the COVID-19 Pandemic</a> - This updated Department of Health guidance outlines policies for managing visitors in inpatient hospitals (acute and psychiatric) and outpatient health care settings.</p>
<h3>Download and print patient mask signage for outpatient practices</h3>
<p>The WSMA provides mask signage for outpatient practices. <a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Newsletters/2021/outpatient-masking-sign.pdf]">Download the sign for your office or setting</a>.</p>
</div> | 6/10/2021 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |