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.
HHS Final Rule Aims to Advance Health Information Technology Interoperability
What’s happening: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule on health data, patient access, interoperability, artificial intelligence (AI), and standards to implement provisions of the 21st Century Cures Act.
What else to know: The final rule is effective Feb. 8.
CHA Comments on Proposed Changes to Independent Dispute Resolution Process
What’s happening: CHA has submitted comments in response to proposed changes to the No Surprises Act independent dispute resolution process.
What else to know: Comments were due Jan. 2.
Summary: Proposed Policy Changes for Medicare Advantage Plans
What’s Happening: A members-only summary from Health Policy Alternatives, Inc. of the proposed policy changes for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans is available.
What Else to Know: The proposed policies affect MA (Part C), Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D), Medicare cost plans, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.
FDA Must Consider Alternatives to Laboratory Developed Test Proposals
What’s Happening: CHA submitted comments to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on proposed regulation of laboratory developed tests (LDTs).
What Else to Know: The proposed rule would have significant unintended consequences for the delivery of medical laboratory services and would raise costs to the overall health care system.
CHA Report Designed to Help Hospitals Comply with New Laws
What’s happening: CHA has released its 2023 Report on State Legislation, which hospitals can use as they navigate the hundreds of health care-related bills the governor has signed into law.
What else to know: It’s designed to help hospitals understand the implications of the bills that will have the biggest impact on your facilities.
Committee Shakeup Brings New Opportunities for Engagement
Last week, California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas announced new chairs for many Assembly policy committees. The women and men in some of these roles will play an important part in shaping health care policy and their appointments present CHA and hospital leaders with an opportunity to engage and educate a new crop of policymakers about the threats to hospital care in California.
Prepare to Display New Hospital Price Transparency Data in CMS Templates
What’s Happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released resources on the newly finalized price transparency machine readable file (MRF) requirements.
What Else to Know: Hospitals have until July 1, 2024, to comply.
Summary: Details of Final Outpatient Payment Rule
What’s Happening: A comprehensive summary of the finalized payment updates and policy changes to the Medicare outpatient prospective payment system for calendar year 2024 is available.
What Else to Know: The provisions are generally effective Jan. 1, 2024.
Updated Guide on Final Rule Implementation Now Available
What’s happening: A members-only guide from the American Hospital Association to support hospitals in the implementation of the Medicare Advantage (MA) final rule is now available for calendar year 2024.
What else to know: The document provides a summary of key provisions of the final rule, which seeks to align MA coverage with traditional Medicare more clearly and to increase oversight of MA plans.
Return Hospital Engagement Letters for Area Wage Index Litigation by Dec. 8
What’s happening: Dec. 8 is the deadline for hospitals to sign up for a CHA-supported legal challenge to Medicare’s low-wage index policy.
What else to know: An updated analysis increases the estimated impact of these policies on California hospitals from $26 million to $33 million in federal fiscal year (FFY) 2024.