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.
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 – Participant Information Page
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.
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.
CMS Finalizes Medicare Advantage, Part D Rule for 2026
What’s happening: In its finalized changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D prescription drug programs for contract year 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) struck most of the Biden-era proposals and declined to finalize additional insurer accountability provisions.
What else to know: The rule, which did not address several other proposals (detailed below), is effective Jan. 1, 2026.