CHA News

CEO Message: Relief for California Hospitals Can Come in Many Ways — But it Must Come

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Today, President Biden signed a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package that will bring much-needed relief to a wide swath of the country including: an extension of jobless supplement programs, direct $1,400 payments to most Americans, an expansion of the child tax credit, support for restaurants, rental assistance, support for schools, and billions of dollars to state and local governments. 

Updates for the Week of March 8

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the following updates this week:​​​​

Medicare Part A Cost Report Appeals Listening Session — March 16
April 2021 Update of the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS)
CHART Model Community Transformation Track Letters of Interest Accepted Due April 13, Application Deadline Extended to May 11
CMS Revises Timelines, Application for Medicare Shared Savings Program Cycle for January 1, 2022 Start
Kidney Care Choices Model’s First Performance Year Start Date Now January 1, 2022
Save the Date: March 30 CMS Quality Programs Bi-Monthly Forum

HHS Extends Comment Period for Proposed Changes to HIPAA Privacy Rule

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has extended the comment period for the proposed rule that makes changes to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy rule. Comments are now due to HHS by 2 p.m. (PT) on May 6.  

CMS Extends Limited Survey Activity to March 22

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On Jan. 20, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services posted a memo limiting federal survey activity by the California Department of Public Health and other state survey agencies to immediate jeopardy allegations, with some exceptions. The original expiration date of Feb. 20 has been extended to March 22. 

CDPH Adopts CDC Guidance on Quarantine of Vaccinated Persons; CDC Releases Recommendations on Vaccinated Persons in Non-Health Care Settings

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On March 5, at CHA’s request, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) revised All Facilities Letter 21-08 to adopt the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) guidance that — as a strategy to alleviate staffing shortages — hospitals can forgo quarantining vaccinated health care personnel following a high-risk exposure if they are fully vaccinated, were vaccinated in the last three months, and are asymptomatic.  

Senate Passes COVID-19 Relief Package That Includes CHA-Supported Provisions

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On March 6, the Senate passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package focused on vaccines, testing, public health, and aiding individuals and families. The Senate made some changes to the House-passed version, so the House will need to vote on the Senate version before sending the measure to President Biden for his signature. Among the CHA-supported provisions important to hospitals and health systems are: 

Updates for the Week of March 1

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued the following updates this week:​​​​

CHA Joins Grassroots Movement to Build Trust in COVID-19 Vaccines

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CHA, the Hospital Association of Southern California, the Hospital Association of San Diego & Imperial Counties, and the Hospital Council — Northern & Central California have joined the California Medical Association’s grassroots efforts to help build trust in the COVID-19 vaccines.   

The #ThisIsOurShot campaign seeks to use evidence-based messaging to elevate the voices of health care heroes as trusted messengers through stories, photos, and videos. Front-line health care workers are encouraged to tell their stories and share their personal COVID-19 vaccine experiences with the network.  

The Joint Commission to Begin Unannounced Surveys on March 15

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The Joint Commission (TJC) is planning to resume unannounced surveys on March 15.  

For the past few months, given the COVID-19 pandemic, TJC account executives have reached out to providers to determine their readiness for survey prior to arriving. Given the decreasing incidence and caseloads of COVID-19, they will be returning to their pre-pandemic procedures.