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.
CHA Submits Recommended Staff Ratios for Psychiatric Hospitals
What’s happening: Last week, CHA submitted recommended staff ratios for acute psychiatric hospitals (PDF) to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), urging the state to require a multi-disciplinary care team approach including registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, psychiatric technicians, and mental health workers.
Serving the Most Vulnerable: How Hospitals Can Support the CARE Act
The CARE Act establishes a civil court process that connects eligible individuals with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders to a coordinated plan of care, housing, and support to interrupt cycles of hospitalization, incarceration, and homelessness. This presentation is specifically tailored for hospital emergency department (ED) and inpatient psychiatric staff who play a critical role in identifying potential […]
Federal Agencies Will Not Enforce Mental Health Parity Final Rule
What’s happening: On May 15, the U.S. departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury announced that they will not enforce the 2024 mental health parity final rule that aimed to improve access to mental health services by requiring health plans to make changes when inadequate access is provided.
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.
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.