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In anticipation of the Feb. 28 termination of the state of emergency, and in recognition of hospitals’ high patient census, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) have committed to quickly acting upon hospitals’ requests for the continuation of space waivers.
CDPH has developed a program flex request template specifically for space flexibilities. Although CDPH has committed to reviewing all requests within three to five business days, final approval depends on the hospital providing any additional requested information. Emergency requests can be addressed within 24 hours. If a request requires HCAI involvement (i.e., new construction or tent use over a certain size), CDPH will collaborate with HCAI and the hospital. After receiving CDPH approval, the hospital will need to complete HCAI’s Alternative Method of Compliance form, which can be done through the HCAI eServices Portal.
Hospitals that wish to use space in a different manner from which it is licensed are urged to informally discuss their plans with their local CDPH and HCAI offices as a first step, prior to submitting the program flex request to CDPH. This will help identify any potential problems in advance and avoid delays.
For technical assistance with CDPH requests, contact the Centralized Program Flexibility Unit main line at (916) 323-5053 or email CentralizedProgramFlex@cdph.ca.gov.
For technical assistance with HCAI requests:
Richard Tannahill
Richard.Tannahill@hcai.ca.gov
(916) 440-8393
Chris Tokas
Chris.Tokas@hcai.ca.gov
(916) 440-8464