CHA News

Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its proposed annual Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters Rule for 2021, also known as the Proposed 2021 Payment Notice. This proposed rule would update regulatory and financial standards applied to issuers and exchanges, as well as set parameters for the risk-adjustment program.

Last week, CHA submitted comments to the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on its proposal to discontinue Cal MediConnect and the Coordinated Care Initiative and transition to a statewide managed long-term services and supports (MLTSS) and dual eligible special needs plan (D-SNP) structure.

CHA has submitted comments on the proposed rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), along with the departments of Labor and Treasury, that would establish a number of new price transparency requirements for health plans — including a proposal to require the disclosure of negotiated rates. CHA thanks members for their input, which helped inform our comments.

The Assembly and Senate Health Committees held a joint informational hearing Jan. 28 about hospital seismic safety and the 2030 requirement to be fully operational after an earthquake event. The hearing provided an opportunity to raise awareness among lawmakers about the 2030 mandate for hospitals, as well as for CHA and representatives from hospitals in different parts of the state to testify about hospital preparedness and the impact of the 2030 requirement.

Gov. Newsom announced yesterday that he has appointed Brad Gilbert of Irvine as director of the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). Gilbert replaces Richard Figueroa, who has been serving as acting director pending the Governor’s permanent appointment.

Today, CHA submitted comments on the Medicaid fiscal accountability proposed rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CHA thanks members for their input, which helped inform our comments, and for taking time to submit individual comment letters. There is still time to submit letters, which must be received by 2 p.m. (PT) tomorrow.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued guidance to state Medicaid directors announcing a new demonstration called the Healthy Adult Opportunity initiative. It would allow states to operate their program within a defined budget target – set on either total expenses or per-enrollee basis – commonly known as “block grants.”