August 5, 2026

Keep Your Contact Information Up to Date!

 AL   SNF  | Facility contact information must be up to date and accurate for DSHS. WHCA also needs updates in your company’s/facility’s contact information. This information allows us to share critical information in a timely manner and can also help in emergencies.
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Spokane Wildfires: Resources and Ways to Help

 AL   SNF  | WHCA would like to express our heartfelt appreciation and concern for all those who are being impacted by the devastating wildfires in Spokane this week. We have compiled a few resources for those who need support, as well as those who would like to help.
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Emergency Evacuation Reporting

 AL   SNF  | Fire season is well underway. Washington is experiencing dry weather, active large wildfires, and heavy smoke. Make sure to be prepared for emergencies that may require evacuation of staff, residents, and clients.
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Check Your Email: WHCA Group Retro Refund Alert

 AL   SNF  | WHCA will be distributing GRRP refunds for 2024-2025 program year. Retro program contacts will receive refund information by mid-August. For more information about WHCA's Workers Compensation Management program, contact [email protected].
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Assisted Living Summary Judgment Sought; September 11 Hearing Set

 AL  | On August 3, WHCA’s legal counsel, Ballard Spahr, filed a motion for summary judgment in the lawsuit brought by WHCA and LeadingAge WA to prevent DSHS from delaying the Medicaid rate rebase for assisted living providers that was scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026.
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Updated Sentinel Network Dashboards and Briefs Now Available

 AL   SNF  | New updates are now available on the Washington Health Workforce Sentinel Network website: https://wa.sentinelnetwork.org Explore updated interactive dashboards and new findings briefs featuring insights from healthcare employers across Washington.
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AHCA/NCAL Webinar Event - Introduction to AI for LTC

 AL   SNF  | Join AHCA/NCAL for an AI workforce webinar series kicking off on September 30th. The webinar will include a live Q&A, giving you the opportunity to ask industry experts about AI, workforce applications, implementation strategies, and more.
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CMS Nursing Home Risk-Based Survey Implementation

 SNF  | Beginning September 8, 2026, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will launch the Nursing Home Risk-Based Survey (NH RBS), a streamlined version of the traditional Long-Term Care Survey Process (LTCSP).
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Changes to Medicaid LTSS Eligibility for Non-Citizens Detailed in Upcoming Webinar

 AL   SNF  | On Wednesday, August 12, the DSHS Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) is hosting a webinar regarding the changes to Medicaid services eligibility for non-citizens under federal Medicaid cuts enacted in HR 1.
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CMS Issues FY27 SNF Final Payment Rule

 SNF  | The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued the final rule for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) for fiscal year (FY) 2027. Learn more from the CMS fact sheet and view the final rule in the Federal Register.
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CMS Releases Resources to Support PBJ Submissions in iQIES

 SNF  | CMS is preparing providers for the transition of Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) submissions and reporting from the current Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (QIES) to the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES). Beginning August 17, all PBJ submissions activities will transition to iQIES.
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Grassroots Update: Post Primaries - What’s Next?

Yesterday, Washingtonians cast their vote for local, regional, and state officials, and important topical measures and propositions. Before ballot boxes were full, WHCA worked closely...
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