CHA has prepared a letter template that members can use to share with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) their opposition to its proposed changes to the Medicare area wage index, outlined in the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2020 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) proposed rule. Member input is critical, as this proposal inappropriately and unnecessarily harms California’s hospitals.
CHA has submitted comments on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) revised draft guidance on ligature risk policies for psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric units.
CHA has submitted comments on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) federal fiscal year (FFY) 2020 inpatient psychiatric facility prospective payment system proposed rule, raising significant concerns about CMS’ proposed use of the FFY 2020 wage index file.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released revisions to the State Operations Manual, Appendix V, effective June 4, on complaint investigation timelines for Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) and deaths associated with seclusion or restraint for hospitals and critical access hospitals.
Elaine Batchlor, MD, MPH, founding CEO of Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital in Los Angeles, has been honored with the Partners in Care Foundation’s Vision & Excellence in Healthcare Leadership Award. Dr. Batchlor received the award for her forward-thinking leadership in building a responsive model of community-wide care at the hospital.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has issued its final rule implementing the criteria for determining when covered veterans may elect to receive necessary hospital, medical, and extended care services from non-VA entities or providers under the Veterans Community Care Program. The final rule became effective June 6, when the Veterans Community Care Program replaced the Veterans Choice Program, as required by the MISSION Act of 2018.
On May 10, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded Livanta a contract to continue to serve as California’s beneficiary and family centered care quality improvement organization (BFCC-QIO) for an additional five years, beginning June 8-May 30, 2024.
On May 28, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new instructions for providers billing Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell therapy services for Medicare patients.
The California Department of Public Health’s Licensing and Certification Program has issued a reminder to health care facilities that, as the hot summer weather begins, they should have contingency plans in place to deal with the potential loss of air conditioning; ensure patients and residents are free of adverse conditions that may cause heat-related complications; and report extreme heat conditions that compromise patient health or require evacuation, transfer, or discharge of patients. More information and guidance are available in All Facilities Letter 19-21.
Over the weekend, the Legislature’s budget conference committee completed its work of negotiating the differences between the Governor’s, Assembly’s, and Senate’s budgets. The Senate and Assembly now need to approve the final budget bill and the accompanying trailer bills and send them to the Governor no later than June 15, for his approval by July 1.
