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.
Upcoming Webinar to Detail IPPS Proposed Rule’s Impact
What’s happening: On May 21, CHA will host a members-only webinar to discuss the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) federal fiscal year (FFY) 2026 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) proposed rule, which includes a net 2.4% payment rate increase — far below what hospitals need to keep up with rising costs and health care needs.
CDPH Announces Stakeholder Meeting on Psychiatric Hospital Staffing Regulations
What’s happening: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released All Facilities Letter (AFL) 25-16 on April 29, announcing the beginning of its regulatory process for establishing nurse-to-patient ratios in acute psychiatric hospitals.
Acute Psychiatric Hospitals Should Review Adverse Event Reporting Policies
What’s happening: The California Department of Public Health released All Facilities Letter (AFL) 25-15 on April 29, reminding acute psychiatric hospitals about existing requirements to report adverse events and unusual occurrences.
Members-Only Summaries Detail Post-Acute Care, Psychiatric Facility Payment Provisions for FFY 2026
What’s happening: Summaries of the inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) prospective payment system (PPS), skilled-nursing facility (SNF) PPS, hospice wage index, and inpatient psychiatric facility (IPF) PPS proposed rules are now available.
New Regulations Address AI Use in Employment Decisions, Change Recordkeeping Requirements
What’s happening: California’s Civil Rights Council has approved new regulations aimed at reducing discriminatory use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in employment-related decisions and extending the time employers must retain records.
Summary Details Policy, Technical Changes to Finalized Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans
CHA Comments on Affordable Care Act Marketplace Integrity Proposed Rule
What’s happening: On April 11, CHA submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on proposed changes to enrollment and eligibility policies for Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplaces.
CMS Issues FFY 2026 Inpatient Psychiatric Facility PPS Proposed Rule
What’s happening: On April 11, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its federal fiscal year (FFY) 2026 inpatient psychiatric facility (IPF) prospective payment system (PPS) proposed rule.
CMS Proposes Inadequate IPPS Update for FFY 2026
What’s happening: On April 11, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2026 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) proposed rule — which falls short of what hospitals need to keep up with rising costs and health care needs.
CMS Issues Post-Acute Care Payment Proposed Rules
What’s happening: On April 11, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its proposed payment policies for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs), skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs), and long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2026.
What else to know: Comments on the proposed rules are due to CMS by June 10.