CHA News

DHCS Releases Distinct-Part Nursing and Subacute Rates

What’s happening: Last week, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) posted updated payment rates for distinct-part nursing facilities (DP-NF) and distinct-part subacute facilities (DP-SA) for adults and pediatrics.   

What else to know: Now that DP-NF and DP-SA services have been fully carved into Medi-Cal managed care plans’ (MCPs) scope of benefits, DHCS has implemented a policy that transitions the DP-NF and DP-SA rate year to a calendar year to align with the Medi-Cal managed care rate year.   

DHCS Issues Private Hospital Supplemental Funds Round B Payments

What’s happening: Over the past two weeks, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) issued Private Hospital Supplemental Fund Round B payments to hospitals eligible for the program in fiscal year 2023-24.   

What else to know: This round of payments to the approximately 90 eligible hospitals totaled roughly $60 million.   

CHA Encourages Members to Participate in the Vitality Index Payer Scorecard

What’s happening: CHA is endorsing member participation in the Vitality Index Payer Scorecard, which will provide critical information to support CHA’s advocacy to hold insurers accountable for timely and accurate reimbursement.  

What else to know: The CHA Board of Trustees has endorsed this tool, which will automatically draw de-identified claims and remittance information from hospitals without requiring additional reporting or surveys.  

CHA Shares Updates on Change Healthcare Cyberattack

What’s happening: Hospitals and health systems operations continue to be impacted by the cyberattack on Change Healthcare. 

What else to know: CHA supports AHA’s recommendations urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take steps to mitigate the impact on providers experiencing issues with claims processing and pharmacy operations.  

CHA’s Advocacy Continues as OHCA Moves Toward Final Growth Target

What’s happening: As the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) inches closer to finalizing its first health care spending growth target, CHA and members continue to raise alarm bells on the proposal’s devastating impact, including testifying at this week’s OHCA board meeting.  

What else to know: This month, CHA commented on the OHCA board’s January discussion of the 3% target proposal, OHCA’s new effort to measure hospital spending, and the proposed data collection rules. 

CHA Sponsors Legislation to Address the 2030 Seismic Standards

What’s happening: CHA is sponsoring legislation to address the 2030 seismic standards and supports Assembly Bill (AB) 869 (Wood, D-Healdsburg), which provides seismic relief for rural and district hospitals. 

What else to know: A bipartisan group of Senators is jointly authoring CHA’s sponsored legislation.