HCAI Issues Advisory Guide for Building, Remodeling Acute Psychiatric Facilities
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) recently released an advisory guide for new construction of acute psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric nursing units provided within general acute care hospitals, and special treatment programs within skilled-nursing facilities — and remodeling or alterations to existing structures of this kind.
What else to know: The advisory guide includes new structural requirements; basic and supplemental services; and mechanical, engineering, and plumbing requirements.
CHA Presentation Details Hospitals’ Role in Health Care Ecosystem
What’s happening: As part of CHA’s efforts to educate new and existing lawmakers on hospitals’ role in the health care ecosystem, Kathryn Austin Scott, senior vice president, state relations and advocacy, and vice presidents of advocacy Kalyn Dean, Mark Farouk, and Vanessa Gonzalez hosted a “Hospital 101” legislative staff briefing on Jan. 14. What else […]
CDPH Issues All Facilities Letter on Public Notice for Inpatient Psychiatric, Perinatal Services Closures
What’s happening: The California Department of Public Health’s All Facilities Letter 25-05, issued on Feb. 3, notifies general acute care and acute psychiatric hospitals of the enactment of Senate Bill (SB) 1300 (Chapter 894, Statutes of 2024).
What else to know: Per SB 1300, a hospital that is closing an inpatient psychiatric unit or perinatal unit is, as of Jan. 1, required to provide public notice of the proposed elimination at least 120 days prior to the service line’s elimination (increased from 90 days).
CHA Comments on Medicare Advantage Proposals for 2026
What’s happening: CHA submitted comments in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed policy and technical changes to Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D programs for contract year 2026.
What else to know: Finalization of the proposed rule is expected in April — in time for MA plans to bid to CMS and offer MA products for plan year 2026. The rule, once finalized, will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Health Facilities Must Work With College Nursing Programs on Clinical Placements
What’s happening: Effective Jan. 1, Assembly Bill (AB) 1577 (2024) added Section 12775 to the Health and Safety Code, requiring health facilities and clinics to meet with a community college or California State University that has an approved school of nursing upon the college’s request and work in good faith to meet the nursing program’s clinical placement needs.
What else to know: Beginning in 2026, if a health facility or clinic lacks the capability or capacity to meet the college’s needs, the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) will require written justification within 30 days of the meeting, subject to a $1,000 fine for failure to provide the justification.
HHS Proposes Updates to HIPAA Security Rule
What’s happening: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) proposed revisions to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security Rule aim to strengthen cybersecurity protections for electronic protected health information (ePHI).
What else to know: Comments on the proposed rule are due by March 7.
New Interoperability Final Rule Focuses on Information Sharing
What’s happening: The Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP) and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology issued the second part of a final rule to advance interoperability and improve information sharing among patients, providers, payers, and public health authorities.
What else to know: This final rule focuses on information blocking exceptions, including reproductive health data policies.
CHA Summary Covers Proposed Changes to Medicare Advantage Part D Plans
What’s happening: CHA has issued a members-only summary of the proposed changes to Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D programs for contract year 2026.
What else to know: The summary, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, Inc., also includes proposals to codify existing sub-regulatory guidance in the MA Part C and Part D programs.
Final Rule Advances Interoperability, Info Sharing in Health Care
What’s happening: The Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP) and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology issued a final rule to advance interoperability and improve information sharing among patients, providers, payers, and public health authorities.
What else to know: In future rulemaking, the ASTP will finalize additional policies included in the proposed rule.
CHA Issues Summaries of CY 2025 OPPS, Physician Fee Schedule Final Rules
What’s happening: Summaries of the calendar year (CY) 2025 outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) and physician fee schedule final rules are available for CHA members.
What else to know: The rules are effective Jan. 1, 2025.