About Continuum of Care
Post-acute care — often provided at inpatient rehabilitation facilities, long-term care hospitals, skilled-nursing facilities, and at patients’ homes — is vital to the health care delivery system. These providers deliver essential medical and rehabilitative services following hospital care. Hospital case managers help support, and connect patients, families, and caregivers through communication and coordination with post-acute care providers and home and community-based services. This includes the development of a discharge or transition plan that addresses the patient’s goals, needs and treatment preferences, and prepares patients and caregivers for post-discharge care.
CHA Comments on Regulations Limiting LVN-Provided Respiratory Care
What’s happening: Last week, CHA submitted comments to the Respiratory Care Board of California (RCB) expressing concerns about new regulations that restrict the tasks licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) may perform, therefore limiting hospitals’ and other care providers’ ability to meet their patients’ needs.
DHCS Updates Grievance and Appeals Requirements Information
What’s happening: The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has republished the State Hearing Form to include a few technical changes to All Plan Letter 21-011, which addresses grievance and appeal requirements for Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans.
CDPH Issues Updated Informed Consent for Psychotherapeutics in SNFs
What’s happening: On Oct. 7, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued All Facilities Letter (AFL) 25-27, providing information on regulations related to a patient's right to be free from psychotherapeutic drugs and ensuring informed consent before treatment with such drugs.
CDPH Updates SNF Guidance on Preventing COVID-19, Influenza, and Other Respiratory Viral Infections
What’s happening: On Oct. 7, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued All Facilities Letter (AFL) 25-28, which shares an updated guidance document with recommendations and strategies skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs) should use to prevent and control COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory viral infections.
CDPH Updates ‘Neurodegenerative Disease Guide to Reporting’ with Expanded Multiple Sclerosis Codes
What’s happening: Last week, the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH’s) Neurodegenerative Disease Registry (CNDR) updated its Neurodegenerative Disease Guide to Reporting.
Public Comments Due Oct. 17 for DHCS’ 2026 Distinct Part Nursing Facility, Subacute Draft Rates
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) recently posted the calendar year (CY) 2026 draft rates for Distinct Part Nursing Facilities, Level B and Distinct Part Subacute on its website.
DHCS Shares Additional Information for Beneficiaries on Upcoming Medi-Cal Changes
What’s happening: Last month, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released a Medi-Cal Eligibility Division Information Letter that includes an FAQ document on upcoming changes to Medi-Cal coverage for Californians without satisfactory immigration status, along with a letter that will be sent to impacted Californians in November.
CHA Files Opening Brief in Anthem Lawsuit Appeal
What’s happening: CHA’s efforts to hold Anthem Blue Cross accountable for violating California’s patient protection laws took an important step forward this week: CHA filed its opening brief appealing a February ruling in which Judge Kenneth Freeman decided to abstain.
CDPH Seeks Input on Psychotherapeutic Drug Use Informed Consent Form
What’s happening: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued All Facilities Letter 25-25 to notify skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs) and other interested stakeholders of an upcoming meeting on its draft Consent Form for Psychotherapeutic Drug Use.
DHCS to Solicit Feedback on CalAIM Managed Long-Term Services and Supports, Duals Integration at Sept. 24 Workgroup
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will convene the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) and Duals Integration Workgroup on Sept. 24 from noon to 2 p.m. (PT).