Last week, the American Hospital Association (AHA) sent a survey to all community hospitals — both AHA members and non-members — requesting information on private plan utilization management practices and network adequacy. CHA worked with AHA to develop the survey questions and encourages members to respond by the Aug. 30 deadline.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently instructed Medicare Administrative Contractors to accept modifier codes for appropriate use criteria (AUC) on Medicare claims for advanced diagnostic imaging services beginning Jan. 1, 2020.
In All Facilities Letter (AFL) 19-28, the California Department of Public Health has announced a nationwide shortage of the tuberculin skin test antigen Aplisol, as well as new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for tuberculosis screening of health care personnel. The notice also reminds providers that an approved program flexibility is required if a facility deviates from tuberculosis screening requirements.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Center for Health Care Quality will host a meeting Aug. 30 from 2-3:30 p.m. to gather stakeholder feedback on acute care hospital clinical laboratory, pharmaceutical, and dietetic services regulations.
CHA DataSuite has issued two hospital-specific analyses, one detailing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) calendar year 2020 Medicare home health prospective payment system (PPS) proposed rule, and the other detailing federal fiscal year 2020 Medicare inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) PPS final rule.
CHA joined a broad coalition of organizations in a Lobby Day at the State Capitol Aug. 20, advocating on behalf of health care professionals who would be affected by Assembly Bill (AB) 5 (Gonzalez, D-San Diego).
The Trump administration’s “public charge” final rule could significantly impact hospitals’ relationships with patients and the communities they serve. To help hospital staff better understand the rule, CHA will hold a members-only forum, “Public Charge Final Rule: How to Communicate with Patients,” Sept. 12 from 1-3 p.m. (PT).
The webinar will:
The Substances Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a series of fact sheets for the families of first responders, intended to help them understand and cope with the potential mental health issues that emergency personnel may face, and to help children understand their parents’ role at work.
CHA has issued a two-part summary, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rule updating the Medicare physician fee schedule, quality payment program, and other Medicare Part B payment policies for calendar year 2020. Comments on the proposed rule are due Sept. 27.
CHA stood with Gov. Newsom, Attorney General Becerra, and leaders of other statewide organizations as the state announced its lawsuit challenging the federal government’s new rule for denying immigrants entry to the U.S. or adjustment to their legal permanent resident status.