About Laws & Regulations
Navigating the vast network of health care laws and regulations is difficult. To help hospitals, CHA produces manuals and guidebooks, including the Consent Manual, a one-stop resource for all legal requirements related to patient consent for medical treatment, release of medical information, reporting requirements and more; the Model Medical Staff Bylaws and Rules, which outline the framework for working relationships among medical staff, hospital administrators and governing bodies; and the California Hospital Compliance Manual, which covers high-risk compliance issues. CHA also represents California hospitals’ interests in court on issues, including reimbursement, labor and employment, and more.
Final Rule on ACA Marketplace Integrity Aims to Address ‘Improper’ Enrollment
What’s happening: On June 20, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its final rule on Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace integrity and affordability.
Upcoming Webinar Details BCBS Settlement’s Implications for Members
What’s happening: On June 23 from 9-10 a.m. (PT), revenue recovery consulting firm Managed Care Advisory Group and Hospital Council – Northern & Central California will host a members-only webinar on the $2.8 billion Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Provider Settlement and its implications for member organizations.
EMSA Solicits Hospital Feedback on APOT Audit Tool
What’s happening: The Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) will host a hospitals-only webinar on June 24 from 8-9:30 a.m. (PT) to share more information about its new “APOT Audit Tool” and solicit feedback.
Reminder: Documents that Create Medical Debt Must Include Specific Language
What’s happening: Beginning July 1, hospitals must include specific language on any document that indicates the patient agrees to pay the hospital’s bill, per Senate Bill (SB) 1061 (2024). Failure to include the required language means the hospital cannot enforce the debt.
Hospital Equity Reporting Regulations Now in Effect, Deadline for HQI’s Reporting Assistance Extended
What’s happening: The regulations to implement Assembly Bill (AB) 1204 (2021), which requires hospitals to submit annual reports to the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) on measures related to health equity, are effective as of June 4.
FDA Inaction Effectively Eliminates Final Rule to Regulate Laboratory-Developed Tests
What’s happening: The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) did not appeal the March 31 final judgment in which a U.S. district court ruled that it lacks the authority to regulate laboratory-developed tests as medical devices, effectively eliminating the May 6, 2024, final rule.
CHA Updates Amicus Tracker with Latest Appellate Activity
What’s happening: The CHA Amicus Activity Tracker has been updated to include 10 new amicus filings in 2025 and late 2024, as well as the outcome of CHA’s amicus efforts in previously reported cases.
CHA Comments on IPPS Proposed Rule
What’s happening: CHA submitted comments in response to the federal fiscal year 2026 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) proposed rule, highlighting the inadequate proposed net payment update.
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.
Reminder: Expanded Hospital Supplier Diversity Reports Due July 1
What’s happening: The first round of expanded Hospital Supplier Diversity Reports required under Assembly Bill (AB) 1392 (2023) are due to the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) on July 1.