About Medicare

The federal Medicare program is an essential pillar of the state’s health care system, supporting more than 6 million Californians over the age of 65 and younger Californians with disabilities. One in five hospitals is at risk of closing, in part because Medicare reimbursement rates are far lower than the cost of providing care. It’s essential that future federal Medicare policy protects patient care.
CHA Issues Draft Comments on IPPS Proposed Rule
What’s happening: CHA has issued its draft comments in response to the federal fiscal year 2026 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) proposed rule, highlighting the inadequate proposed net payment update.
CHA Issues Summaries of IPPS, LTCH PPS Proposed Rule
What’s happening: Summaries of the federal fiscal year 2026 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) and long-term care hospital (LTCH) PPS proposed rule are now available, and on May 21, CHA will host a complimentary, members-only webinar on the IPPS provisions.
Executive Briefing: Federal and State Budget Impacts to Medi-Cal
On May 14, Gov. Gavin Newsom released the May budget revision, which included proposals to pull away $1.6 billion in funding dedicated to health care organizations through last year’s Proposition 35. This came just days after the House Energy and Commerce Committee released a proposal to cut more than $715 billion from Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California). […]
Hospital Leaders Take Message on Threats to Medicaid, Medicare to Capitol Hill
What’s happening: As part of the American Hospital Association Annual Meeting held in Washington, D.C., this week, California hospital and health system leaders participated in more than 20 meetings with the California congressional delegation.
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.
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.
Summary Details Policy, Technical Changes to Finalized Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans
Medicare Advantage Webinar Series
Working with Medicare Advantage (MA) plans can be challenging to manage. The rule and processes are complex, constantly evolving, and often difficult to navigate. To address these challenges, CHA will hold a four-part webinar series, covering an overview of MA rules, the complexities around observation status and the two-midnight rule, access to post-acute care, and […]
Medicare Advantage Webinar Series – Participant Information Page
Thank you for registering. Below are important instructions and materials you will need to participate in the webinar(s). Dates: May 15, May 22, June 4, June 25, 2025Time: 10:00 – 11:00 AM PT
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.
What else to know: Comments on the proposed rule are due to CMS by June 10.