The California Health Alert Network (CAHAN) reports that, since June, seven cases of severe acute pulmonary disease requiring hospitalization and respiratory support among adults who have been vaping cannabis or cannabidiol oils have been reported to the Kings County Health Officer. Clinicians who encounter similar cases should report them to their local health department.
On Aug. 12, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized a rule to change the policy under which the federal government can deny immigrants U.S. entry or adjustment to their legal permanent resident status (e.g., green card) if they are determined likely to become public charges (see CHA’s response). The final rule expands the list of programs that may be considered for determining public charge status, to include not only cash assistance and long-term care but also certain health care, nutrition, and housing programs.
CHA will host a complimentary members-only briefing Aug. 16 from 10-11 a.m. (PT) to update members on the finalized changes to the area wage index in the federal fiscal year 2020 inpatient prospective payment system final rule, as well as CHA’s next steps.
CHA has submitted comments responding to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) request for information on reducing regulatory burden on hospitals and other health care providers. As part of its Patients over Paperwork initiative, CMS seeks input on ways to alleviate unnecessary administrative burden and improve patient care.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded TriWest Healthcare Alliance (TriWest) a contract to administer the VA’s Community Care Network (CCN) in California. TriWest will establish and maintain a network of community care providers in the state, as outlined in the Veterans Community Care Program final rule.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its proposed rule revising the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) prospective payment system (PPS) and policies related to durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) for calendar year (CY) 2020. CHA has made available a detailed summary of the proposed rule, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives. Comments on the proposed rule are due Sept. 27.
Last week, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) sent hospitals invoices covering the first phase of managed care directed payments (MC2 DP(A)) for the 2017-19 Hospital Fee Program. The invoices cover July 1 – Dec. 31, 2017, and are due Aug. 22.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services this week released the following information:
Reminder: Aug. 15 Deadline for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF), Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH), and Skilled-Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program Data Submission
IRF Quality Reporting Data Submission Deadlines
LTCH Quality Reporting Data Submission Deadlines
SNF Quality Reporting Program Data Submission Deadlines
Hospice CASPER Review and Correct Reports Available for Download
CHA has updated the Discharge Planning for Homeless Patients guidebook and released a free PDF download for CHA members.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its final rule updating hospice payment rates for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2020. CMS finalizes a net payment increase of 2.6%, or $520 million, as compared to FFY 2019. The rule also rebases the rates hospices are paid for certain types of care. In addition, the rule modifies the beneficiary hospice election statement to reduce the time spent trying to obtain information needed for treatment decisions and accurate claims submissions.