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.
New Reimbursement Options for Inpatient Psychiatric Care
CHA Comments on CY 2025 Home Health Payment Rule
What’s happening: CHA submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to the calendar year 2025 home health prospective payment system proposed rule.
What else to know: CHA thanks members for their feedback, which helped to inform comments.
CHA Issues Summary of FFY 2025 LTCH PPS Final Rule
What’s happening: CHA has issued a summary of the finalized payment updates and policies for long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2025.
What else to know: The policy and payment provisions are generally effective for FFY 2025 discharges, beginning Oct. 1.
CDPH Title 22 Draft Regulations Out for Public Comment
What’s happening: The comment period is now open for draft regulations released by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on clinical laboratory, pharmaceutical, and dietetic services in general acute care hospitals.
What else to know: Comments are due to CDPH on Sept. 12.
Summary: FFY 2025 Inpatient Psychiatric Facility PPS Final Rule
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its federal fiscal year (FFY) 2025 inpatient psychiatric facility (IPF) prospective payment system (PPS) final rule.
What else to know: Finalized payment rates are slightly higher than proposed, but still insufficient relative to input cost inflation.
Summaries Available: FFY 2025 Post-Acute Care Payment Final Rules
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its final payment rules for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs), skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs), and hospices for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2025. CHA has issued members-only summaries of each rule.
What else to know: In general, the payment updates were slightly higher than proposed, but still inadequate relative to input price inflation.
Register for Upcoming DataGen Webinar on FFY 2025 IPPS Final Rule
What’s happening: DataGen will host a webinar on the federal fiscal year 2025 inpatient prospective payment system final rule and analysis overview.
What else to know: Registration is required.
CMS Update on 2025 OPPS and PFS Proposed Rules
On July 10, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its calendar year (CY) 2025 outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) proposed rule and physician fee schedule (PFS) proposed rule.
CHA is hosting this members-only webinar to discuss key proposals in these proposed rules ahead of the comment deadline.
CHA Continues Work to Hold Insurers Accountable
What’s happening: CHA continues to await a response to the lawsuit filed against Anthem Blue Cross on April 23.
What else to know: In the interim, CHA continues to collect information to support its position that many managed care plans, including Anthem Blue Cross, are violating certain provisions of the Knox-Keene Act.
Doula Access in Hospitals: What the Law Requires
Join this webinar and learn more about creating a partnership between your hospital and the doulas that serve your geographic area. Learn about the legal requirements associated with doulas as well as best practices from a hospital with a successful doula program.