New Summary Shares Key Provisions of FFY 2026 IPPS Final Rule
What’s happening: CHA has issued a summary detailing the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2026 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) final rule.
Hospitals Must Submit 2025 APOT Reduction Protocols to EMSA, Audit Tool Tutorial Now Available
What’s happening: Under Assembly Bill (AB) 40 (2023), hospitals must submit an ambulance patient offload time (APOT) reduction protocol to the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) annually on or before June 30. CHA recommends that hospitals submit their protocols as soon as possible. EMSA’s APOT Audit Tool aims to reduce APOTs — as required under...
CHA Urges CMS to Increase OPPS Payment Update, Rescind Harmful Proposals
What’s happening: On Sept. 15, CHA submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the calendar year 2026 outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) proposed rule.
Hospitals Should Increase Participation in APOT Audit Tool
What’s happening: To increase data confidence and reliability, more hospitals must register for the Emergency Medical Services Authority’s (EMSA’s) “APOT Audit Tool” and begin conducting monthly audits. To be compliant with Assembly Bill (AB) 40 requirements, hospitals must also submit their APOT reduction protocols to EMSA.
HHS to Increase Enforcement of Info Blocking Violations
What’s happening: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it will increase enforcement efforts against providers and other entities that engage in information blocking, as authorized under the 21st Century Cures Act.
CHA Issues Draft Comments on Physician Fee Schedule Proposals
Editor's note: On Sept. 12, CHA submitted the letter referenced below - read the final comments.
What’s happening: Members are encouraged to use CHA’s new draft comments on the calendar year (CY) 2026 physician fee schedule proposed rule as a template for their own comments.