About Finance & Reimbursement
Vulnerable Californians who rely on the care provided by California hospitals are at risk. Driven by skyrocketing costs for labor, pharmaceuticals, regulatory mandates, and more, 53% of all hospitals statewide lose money every day to deliver patient care.
That isn’t sustainable. And California is already seeing the frightening result: rural health care services being cut to the bone, severe behavioral health care needs not being met, and more.
CHA Releases Guide to Improve Homelessness Reporting Ahead of Potential Reimbursement Changes
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) now considers homelessness a “complication or comorbidity,” acknowledging the increased care resources this population requires. This acknowledgement signals potential Medicare reimbursement changes in the future.
2025 Legislative Wrap-up
Don’t miss CHA’s upcoming webinar — your essential guide to navigating new health care laws and regulations. This interactive session is designed to give you a clear, actionable understanding of the latest legislative updates that could impact your operations. Our expert panel will cover key 2024 legislation, highlight crucial deadlines, and answer your pressing questions, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Preliminary Data Show CA Tax Revenues Exceed Expectations, DOF Reports
What’s happening: The California Department of Finance (DOF) has released preliminary data indicating that General Fund revenue for July-September 2025 was $3.8 billion higher than projected.
D.C. Download: The Good, the Bad, and the Unknown
Congressional votes to end the federal government shutdown have brought several pieces of good news for health care. Other developments out of Washington, D.C., have more mixed results.
Threats to Hospital Financial Sustainability at the Forefront of 2025 Reimbursement Conference
What’s happening: At the 2025 Hospital Finance & Reimbursement Conference, hospital finance experts discussed myriad policy challenges on the horizon, most notably stemming from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s impact to Medi-Cal financing, the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA), and potential changes to the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
CHA Requests Feedback on Hospital Fee Program 10 Proposed Data by Nov. 25
What’s happening: CHA has been working closely with the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to develop Hospital Fee Program 10 — a one-year program that would utilize 2023 data and start on Jan. 1, 2026. With each Hospital Fee Program renewal, DHCS retrieves the requisite hospital data and updates the fee and payment model as directed under the authorizing legislation found under...
Medi-Cal Treatment Authorization Request System to Be Updated
What’s happening: From Nov. 15- 18, the Medi-Cal Treatment Authorization Request (TAR) system will be unavailable as it is migrated to a new platform.
CMS Finalizes CY 2026 Payment Policies for Physicians
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the calendar year (CY) 2026 physician fee schedule final rule.
CHA Urges Congress to Retroactively Delay Medicaid DSH Payment Reductions
What’s happening: CHA joined California’s public, private, and community safety-net hospitals in urging Congress to retroactively delay the Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment cuts that went into effect on Oct. 1.