About Holding Insurers Accountable
Patients deserve access to health care without unnecessary barriers from their insurance companies. But with 94% of the commercial health insurance market controlled by just six companies, health insurance companies have enormous power in California — and they increasingly use that power to deny enrollees access to care or even refuse to pay for care that’s already been delivered, all while padding their bottom lines. CHA is advocating for increased oversight and accountability to ensure commercial insurers meet their basic responsibilities to patients.
In 2023, CHA filed a lawsuit against Anthem alleging that it failed to ensure timely care for its beneficiaries. Read the latest here.
CHA also participates in the American Hospital Association’s Vitality Index, a key advocacy tool that tracks claims data. Learn more.
CHA Urges Stronger Oversight of Health Plan Downcoding Practices
What’s happening: CHA has submitted comments to the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) on a draft All Plan Letter with proposed guidance aimed at increasing oversight and transparency of health plan downcoding practices.
CHA Submits Comments to DMHC on Proposed Network Adequacy Regulations
What’s happening: Last week, CHA submitted comments to the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) on its proposed new regulations and standards to strengthen network adequacy requirements and oversight.
New Anthem Payment Policy Hurts Patients, Violates CA Law: CHA Lawsuit
SACRAMENTO (May 4, 2026) — The California Hospital Association (CHA) has filed a lawsuit against Anthem Blue Cross to prevent the insurance giant from penalizing hospitals when Anthem enrollees choose a doctor that is out of network, a choice explicitly allowed by their health insurance plan.
Creators of the Vitality Index Payer Scorecard Announce Partnership with HFMA
What’s happening: Hyve Health, the creator of the CHA-endorsed Vitality Index Payer Scorecard, has entered into a national partnership on payer accountability with the Healthcare Financial Management Association. What else to know: CHA continues to encourage members to enroll in the scorecard tool, which will provide critical information to support CHA’s advocacy to hold insurers...
Media Coverage of CHA Lawsuit Runs Statewide
What’s happening: Statewide and national media coverage of the CHA lawsuit against Anthem Blue Cross includes print articles, news videos, and mentions on local radio stations.
Hospital Association Files Lawsuit Against Anthem Blue Cross for Violating Patient Protection State Laws
SACRAMENTO (April 23, 2024) — Anthem Blue Cross, one of California’s largest health insurance companies, consistently leaves thousands of its patients stranded in hospital beds long after they have been medically cleared for discharge, a violation of California law. These victims of discharge delays are forced to stay in hospitals longer, are deprived of timely post-hospital health care services, and cause backlogs for other patients who have to wait longer for hospital beds.