Every year, California’s hospitals treat millions of patients, many of them covered by Medi-Cal, the state’s health care safety net. This includes numerous essential health care services for Californians, including care for more than 50% of all births, 46% of behavioral health-related emergency department visits, 58% of rural hospital patient care days, 1 million inpatient stays, and nearly 16 million outpatient visits in 2018. CHA is committed to protecting Medi-Cal rates and assuring that the state’s neediest maintain access to the high quality of care that all Californians deserve.
About Medi-Cal
Revised State Budget Proposes Important Health Care Investments but Does Not Address Hospitals’ Inflationary Challenges
On May 13, Gov. Newsom released the May Revision with modifications to the proposed state budget he first presented in January. Tax revenue estimates have surged by $55 billion since the governor’s January budget proposal, creating a discretionary budgetary surplus of $49 billion and allowing the state to make new investments beyond what was proposed […]
CMS Approves Hospital Fee’s 2022 Managed Care Private Hospital Directed Payment Program
As shared previously in CHA News, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) sent hospitals invoices covering the first four fee-for-service cycles of the 2019-21 Hospital Fee Program in March. The first invoice is due on April 29 and covers July 1, 2019-Sept. 30, 2019. Hospitals will receive the first fee-for-service payment on May 18.
DHCS Releases Guidance on Medi-Cal Eligibility for New Ukraine Arrivals
On April 29, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released a Medi-Cal Eligibility Division Information Letter (MEDIL) to provide guidance to counties on the Medi-Cal eligibility of Ukrainian nationals arriving in California.
DHCS Sends FY 2021-22 Disproportionate Share Hospital Data to Hospitals for Data Correction Period
On May 2, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) sent payment and utilization data to hospitals that have been determined eligible for payments under the disproportionate share hospital (DSH) and DSH replacement programs for fiscal year 2021-22.
CMS Finalizes Contract Year 2023 Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a rule finalizing policies for contract year 2023 Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare prescription drug benefit programs. The rule finalizes proposals on increased agency oversight of plan marketing, expansion and network adequacy, reinstatement of medical loss ratio reporting requirements, and equity-oriented changes to dual-eligible special […]
CHA Provides Additional Details on FFY 2023 IPPS Proposed Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its federal fiscal year (FFY) 2023 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) proposed rule. Comments on the proposed rule are due to CMS by June 17.
Abundance of Revenue May Trigger State Spending Limits
Even though the state will bring in billions of dollars in surplus revenue this year, its ability to spend those additional dollars may be more limited than it has been for many years. This unique challenge facing the Legislature and administration as they craft the 2022-23 state budget is being driven by a voter-approved requirement […]
CHA Responds to Request for Information on Medicaid and CHIP Access
On April 18, CHA submitted responses to a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services request for information on improving access to care and coverage for individuals enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
DHCS Extends PHDP Contract Status Deadline for Partnership Health Plan
On April 11, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Capitated Rate Development Division notified hospitals that due to a system issue, Partnership Health Plan has had challenges in completing its reporting to identify contracted status for Medi-Cal Hospital Directed Payment Programs.
Medi-Cal Older Adult Expansion Takes Effect on May 1
Beginning May 1, California will provide full-scope Medi-Cal benefits to individuals who are age 50 or older, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, who meet all other Medi-Cal full-scope eligibility criteria.