January 2022 Chapter Update
Federal Rule to Prevent Surprise Health Care Billing - Application to Clinical Social Workers
NASW released a blog post to update information from a post on December 21, 2021. The post provides updated clarifying information that was not available until now regarding Part II of a federal rule that pertains to the provision of Good Faith Estimates (GFEs). It also provides new information on Part I of this regulation. If you reviewed our December 21 post, you may also find it helpful to review this one. We are continuing to closely monitor this dynamic policy area so we can continue to provide updates to our members. We are also advocating on behalf of clinical social workers with key federal regulatory agencies and other stakeholders. Click here to read the entire blog post and more about applicability, compliance steps, etc.
Final Rule for CY 2022: Implications for CSWs
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule. The 2400+-page rule includes updates to policies and payments that are pertinent to clinical social workers (CSWs) and other Medicare providers. A number of NASW’s recommendations are reflected in the final rule which went into effect on January 1, 2022. Click here for more information.
Legislative Alerts
Click here to take action on the issues important to the social work profession!
SB 5229 Health Equity Listening Sessions (from DOH)
The Department of Health (DOH) is reaching out to individuals and communities who have experienced health inequities or racism in the health care system. Advocacy groups and health care professional associations are also invited. This is an effort to learn how people are harmed due inequities in the health care system. DOH seeks to create positive change in the health care system. Individuals, communities, and health care workers will work together to create rules for health equity continuing education. Health care professionals must complete trainings in health equity as required by Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5229. Click here to read more.
2022 NASW-WA Policy Conference: Registration Open!
Registration is open for the 2022 NASW-WA Policy Conference!
The virtual program will feature speakers from the Legislature and policy professionals, NASW-WA's policy agenda, and activities to increase knowledge about the legislative process. The Policy Conference is scheduled for February 21, 2022. Register to attend here! 2 CE contact hour hours available!
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Social Work Month Celebration!
Award Nominations due January 31st!
NASW-WA will honor the accomplishments of social workers and community members during our Social Work Month Celebration on March 4th. Click here to save your spot for our virtual event!
Do you know someone who should be recognized? Nominations are open for our 2022 Awards! Please submit your nomination by January 31, 2022.
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Call for Chapter Leadership!
The following Board positions are available for our upcoming election this spring:
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Chapter President-Elect - 3 year term (1 as President-Elect, 2 as President)
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First Vice President – 2 year term
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Board Secretary - 2 year term
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Eastern Washington Geographical Region Rep. – 2 year term
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Western Washington Geographical Region Rep. – 2 year term
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MSW Student Representative – 1 year term
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BSW Student Representative – 1 year term
Click here to find out more about the positions and to nominate someone or apply today! The deadline for nomination is extended to January 31, 2022.
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24th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Conference
The Whatcom Human Rights Task Force presents the 24th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Conference on Thursday, January 13th – Saturday, January 15th, 2022. This is an online event. For the 24th consecutive year, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Conference will create spaces for the community to share our stories and renew our commitment to the ideals that Dr. King held dear and believed deeply that this country could attain only by working together and acknowledging our shared history: ideals of equity, freedom, and self-determination.
The title of the 2022 conference is “An Inescapable Network of Mutuality: Creative Extremism for the Cause of Justice.” Click here for details.
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Free Community Concerts
Seattle Chamber Music Society is now offering free community concerts featuring world class chamber musicians. The Society is currently looking for social service and nonprofit organizations to partner with who are interested in bringing music to the people that they support. Concerts/music workshops are being given by a number of different musicians throughout the year and run between 1-1.5hrs long. SCMS is able to travel anywhere in the greater Seattle area and would like to work with you to design programing that is specific to the interests and needs of your community. This could be anything from a storytelling and music workshop, a music and movement workshop, an artist talk and Q&A, etc. The Society is excited to be able to reach folks of all ages and backgrounds who may face barriers to accessing live arts and culture events; they are committed to partnering with community organizations to build greater cultural equity. If you are at an organization or working in a community that may be interested in developing a partnership, please reach out to Ali Friedman at ali@seattlechambermusic.org.
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Call for Presenters
Are you interested in presenting a workshop for NASW-WA? We have an open call for presenters (live, virtual, or recorded). Click here for more information about what we're looking for: https://www.nasw-wa.org/request-for-proposals
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Chapter Classifieds
NASW-WA offers a space on our website for text-only classified ads. Go to: https://www.nasw-wa.org/classifieds
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