About Behavioral Health
Many Californians can’t get the behavioral health care they need due to a shortage of resources. In fact, 92% of hospitals that provide psychiatric inpatient care report they are unable to admit new patients because discharging current patients to step-down care is so difficult. This congestion means patients are in more restrictive settings than they need, which leads to emergency department overcrowding. To address California’s behavioral health crisis, strategies must mirror those in primary care — where the goal is to prevent illness and provide the right care in the right setting.
2025 Emergency Services Forum Focuses on Behavioral Health
What’s happening: Earlier this week, emergency care professionals from across California gathered in Newport Beach for a high-impact day of learning, storytelling, and collaborative problem-solving.
CDPH Announces Stakeholder Meeting on Psychiatric Hospital Staffing Regulations
What’s happening: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released All Facilities Letter (AFL) 25-16 on April 29, announcing the beginning of its regulatory process for establishing nurse-to-patient ratios in acute psychiatric hospitals.
Acute Psychiatric Hospitals Should Review Adverse Event Reporting Policies
What’s happening: The California Department of Public Health released All Facilities Letter (AFL) 25-15 on April 29, reminding acute psychiatric hospitals about existing requirements to report adverse events and unusual occurrences.
Members-Only Summaries Detail Post-Acute Care, Psychiatric Facility Payment Provisions for FFY 2026
What’s happening: Summaries of the inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) prospective payment system (PPS), skilled-nursing facility (SNF) PPS, hospice wage index, and inpatient psychiatric facility (IPF) PPS proposed rules are now available.
CMS Issues FFY 2026 Inpatient Psychiatric Facility PPS Proposed Rule
What’s happening: On April 11, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its federal fiscal year (FFY) 2026 inpatient psychiatric facility (IPF) prospective payment system (PPS) proposed rule.
What else to know: Comments on the proposed rule are due to CMS by June 10.
CHA Memo Helps Hospital EDs with Psychiatric Emergencies Under AB 1316
What’s happening: As of Jan. 1, hospital emergency departments (EDs) have a clear pathway for Medi-Cal reimbursement for behavioral health visits under CHA-sponsored Assembly Bill (AB) 1316 (2024). In a memo to members, CHA provides guidance to hospitals on the new requirements and their obligations for stabilizing or transferring individuals in EDs experiencing a mental health crisis.
2025 Emergency Services Forum Takes Place May 5 in Newport Beach
What’s happening: This year’s Emergency Services Forum is happening in Newport Beach on May 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (PT). Attendees can expect dynamic sessions covering industry topics, insights into the evolving behavioral health landscape, an interactive Q&A forum, and more. Registration is open, and early bird pricing ends April 8.
What else to know: The forum kicks off with a keynote address by Liz Basnett, director of the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA), who will provide transparency on EMSA’s requirements, as well as share efforts to modernize and update regulations to meet emergency services’ increasing needs.
2025 Emergency Services Forum Returns to Newport Beach
What’s happening: In just over six weeks, the Emergency Services Forum returns to Newport Beach, where emergency services professionals will gather for a day of learning, discussion, and networking.
What else to know: The forum, held May 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., is open for registration. The deadline for booking at the discounted hotel room rate is April 14.
New CDPH All Facilities Letters Provide Additional Guidance for General Acute Care, Psychiatric Hospitals
What’s happening: On Feb. 24, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released four new All Facilities Letters (AFLs) on laws that became effective Jan. 1. These AFLs affect general acute care and acute psychiatric hospitals, and other health care facilities.
What else to know: For more information, visit the CDPH’s web page.
2025 Behavioral Health Care Symposium
Registration opens June 3, 2025.
The 2025 Behavioral Health Care Symposium returns to Sacramento!