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The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued two All Facilities Letters (AFL) related to hospital fair pricing policies and debt collection procedures and certified nurse assistants.
On Dec. 23, CDPH issued AFL 21-54 related to Assembly Bill (AB) 532 and AB 1020, announcing the changes to hospital fair pricing policies and debt collection procedures.
AB 1020 changes the eligibility threshold for charity care/discounted care, redefines high medical costs, adds new notice requirements, and limits selling debt to debt buyers. AB 532 also adds new notice requirements and requires hospitals to automatically provide an individual with an estimate and an application form for financial assistance or charity care. To assist hospitals in the implementation of these compliance-related laws, CHA has compiled resources for members.
On Dec. 31, CDPH issued AFL 20-35.6, which informs all facilities and applicants that the temporary waiver of specified regulatory requirements for initial certification, renewal, and expired certification for certified nurse assistants have been extended until March 31, 2022, in compliance with Executive Order N-21-21. The waivers for tuberculosis testing, reciprocity, and report of address change expired on Dec. 31, 2021.