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CHA/CDPH Guide Designed to Assist Hospitals in Submitting COVID-19 Data
CHA and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) have collaborated on a data reporting guide to assist hospitals in submitting data to the CHA COVID-19 Tracking Tool. The guide includes data submission instructions and data dictionary clarifications that can help hospitals comply with changes to the state and federal COVID-19 data reporting requirements and avoid mistakes in their reporting. Proper reporting is especially important now that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has formalized the enforcement processes around COVID-19 data submissions, which are part of the Conditions of Participation for Medicare and Medi-Cal. The guide includes:
- Step-by-step instructions for reporting data to the CHA CHOVID-19 Tracking Tool
- General reporting guidance, including how to avoid common mistakes
- Clarifications for the recently updated data dictionary
- CDPH calculations done prior to uploading data to TeleTracking
The guide also serves as a companion document to the upcoming CHA and CDPH data reporting webinars (see article below for more information).
Upcoming Webinars Explain COVID-19 Data Reporting Requirements
CHA and CDPH will host webinars from 1 to 2 p.m. (PT) on Nov. 5 and Nov. 17 to clarify the requirements for submitting data into the CHA COVID-19 Tracking Tool, as well as to help hospitals comply with changing state and federal COVID-19 data reporting requirements. CMS recently formalized penalties and outlined the enforcement processes around COVID-19 data reporting and has modified the reporting requirements. Because some fields that have been optional are now mandatory and vice versa, these webinars will provide insight and guidance for submitting COVID-19 data accurately and aims to help hospitals avoid costly mistakes. The program will include time for participant questions.
California’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Drafting Guidelines Workgroup Named, Scientific Review Workgroup Broadened to Western States
On Oct. 27, CDPH announced the composition of California’s COVID-19 Drafting Guidelines Workgroup, which will develop California-specific guidance for prioritizing and allocating a COVID-19 vaccine. The guidance will be based on several national frameworks from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The workgroup held its first meeting on Oct. 30 and will distribute drafts publicly for review and comment.
Also on Oct. 27, the Governor’s Office announced that Washington, Oregon, and Nevada have joined California’s COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. This workgroup will review any vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration and verify its safety before California, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada make the vaccine available to the public.
Provider Relief Fund Phase 3 Application Deadline Coming
As a reminder, hospitals that wish to apply for Phase 3 Provider Relief Funds must do so by Nov. 6. Additional information on the application process is available on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.
CMS Interim Final Rule Establishes Additional COVID-19 Policies, Regulatory Flexibilities
CMS – along with the Departments of Labor and the Treasury – has issued its fourth interim final rule with comment period on policies and regulatory flexibilities available for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The rule includes a number of policies related to vaccine coverage and payment, enhanced payments for treatments, state Medicaid program requirements, price transparency requirements for diagnostic tests, and an extension of the comprehensive care for joint replacement model. More details about the finalized policies and flexibilities are available here.
Next CDPH Call for Health Care Facilities: Nov. 10, 8-9 a.m. (PT)
Dial: (844) 721-7239
Passcode: 7993227
Summary of Oct. 27 CDPH Call
CDPH has provided a summary of its recent weekly call with health care facilities.