Washington, Alaska, northern Idaho, and Montana (OPTN Region 6)
CMS performance & status
CMS 2023 OPO Interim Annual Public Aggregated Performance Report, Table 5b (Donation and Transplant Rates, 2021): rates at/above median but below top 25% cutoff; CY2021 tier column = 2.
This OPO is graded Tier 2 (2023 (CY2021 assessment)) under the CMS Conditions for Coverage outcome measures. Tier 2 is above the median but below the top quartile; these OPOs must compete to retain their service area.
HHS-OIG (2012): LifeCenter Northwest did not fully comply with Medicare cost-report requirements
LifeCenter Northwest (Washington-area OPO) / CMS
HHS-OIG report A-09-11-02039 (issued Nov. 15, 2012) found LifeCenter Northwest, the OPO serving Washington, Alaska, Montana and north Idaho, reported incorrect organ statistics on its FY2009 Medicare cost report. The OIG found Medicare's share of organ-procurement costs was overstated by an estimated $88,205 (with a separate $9,132 understatement on another item).
Every item is institution-level public record, source-linked; no patient, donor, or family is named. A Tier or finding here repeats the government's own assessment of an organization holding a public monopoly. Back to OrganWatch.