About Hospital Fee Program
The Hospital Quality Assurance Fee (HQAF) Program and all of its statutory provisions were made permanent through the passage of CHA’s ballot initiative, the Medi-Cal Funding and Accountability Act (Proposition 52), in the November 2016 general election. While this provides the framework for all future hospital fee programs, future iterations must adhere to federal regulations related to health-care provider taxes. Further, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) must obtain all necessary federal approvals. View the hospital fee program federal approvals received to date, for the programs beginning on or after January 2014.
Delay in CMS Approval of FFS Components Necessitates Revision of Program 9 Fee and Payment Timing
What’s happening: Since the final federal approvals on the Hospital Fee Program fee-for-service (FFS) components were not approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by Oct. 1, the fee and payment timing shared with hospitals in July will be revised.
Fee Program Press is on in D.C., & Sacramento
While CHA continues to press in Washington, D.C., for approval of the final component — fee-for-service payment mechanisms — of Hospital Fee Program 9, we are also pushing the state for timely completion of submission for the next iteration, Program 10.
August Invoices Past Due, Should be Paid as Soon as Possible
What’s happening: Two hospital fee program invoices were due on Aug. 26. Hospitals that have not yet paid these invoices in full should do so as soon as possible.
Download Monthly DHCS Data Files for August ASAP
What’s happening: As of the Sept. 14 deadline, 77 hospitals had not yet downloaded their Private Hospital Directed Payment (PHDP) volume reports and encounter detail files for August.
CHA, Association Partners Press DHCS on Supplemental Funding Approval Delays
What’s happening: Earlier this week, CHA — along with the Private Essential Access Community Hospitals and California Children’s Hospital Association — sent a letter to the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) outlining concerns about delays in federal approval of Medi-Cal supplemental funding.
At Aug. 19 Meeting, DHCS Provides Update on the 2 Million Californians Shifting to FFS Medi-Cal
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) held its quarterly Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting on Aug. 19, providing updates on the state budget and other key developments from the state’s Medi-Cal agency.
CHA, DHCS Still Awaiting Approval of Hospital Fee Program 9
What’s happening: On Aug. 14, CHA met with the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to discuss Hospital Fee Program 9 fee-for-service (FFS) approval, as well as an updated timeline for Program 10 resubmission.
Hospital Fee Program Invoices Due Aug. 26
What’s happening: Two fee payments are due from hospitals to the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on Aug. 26. It is critical that all hospitals pay their invoices in full and on time.
Hospital Fee Program Update
2026 Hospital Finance & Reimbursement Conference
As the health care landscape continues to evolve, hospital leaders face growing operational and regulatory challenges. Join CHA and finance executives from across California for an in-person conference examining the latest state and federal policy developments impacting hospitals today. Topics will include Medicare and Medi-Cal financing, state-directed payments, financial regulations, the Office of Health Care […]