The newsroom includes access to CHA News, which provides timely information to members every Monday and Thursday and is at the core of CHA benefits. In addition, it is also home to resources such as toolkits and talking points designed to help member hospitals and health systems communicate with internal and external audiences on a range of current health care-related issues. Links to CHA media statements and press releases can also be found here.
Newsroom
Provider Relief Fund and American Rescue Plan Rural Fund Reporting Deadline is March 31
CHA reminds members that Provider Relief Fund (PRF) reporting period 4 closes on March 31 at 8:59 p.m. (PT). This reporting period covers funds received from July 1-Dec. 31, 2021, for providers who received a PRF (General or Targeted) and/or American Rescue Plan Rural payment(s). Funds from this period must have been used by Dec. […]
Independent Dispute Resolution Entities to Resume All Payment Determinations
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued updated guidance that instructs certified independent dispute resolution (IDR) entities to resume making payment determinations for disputes involving items or services furnished on or after Oct. 25, 2022. Effective March 17, disputing parties will begin receiving a majority of their payment determination notices from the IDR […]
Sending a Powerful Message on Hospital Financial Instability
The final tally is impressive: 350-plus names of California hospitals and health systems whose leaders signed on to letters seeking state and federal help to protect access to critical health care services.
CMS Approves Medi-Cal Managed Care ‘Bridge Period’ Rates
On Feb. 28, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approved the Medi-Cal managed care rates for July 1, 2019-Dec. 31, 2020, often referred to as the “Bridge Period.”
DHCS Releases Private Hospital Directed Payment Encounter Files
On March 10, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) uploaded three new hospital-directed payment encounter files, available via the Secure File Transfer Protocol site. It is important for hospitals to download these files as soon as possible as the site is only intended for file transfers, not ongoing storage, and uploaded files will be deleted […]
CHA Webinar Will Clarify Changes to Bundled Payments Model
At a March 21 webinar, CHA will have experts available to share information and recommendations on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ recently announced extension of the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced model.
CMS Issues New QAPI Interpretive Guidelines
On March 9, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new interpretive guidelines that explain what hospitals must do to comply with the Condition of Participation for Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI). The interpretive guidelines are written by CMS headquarters and sent to all state agency surveyors to help them understand how […]
CMS Issues Guidance for States on Medicaid Third-Party Liability Requirements
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued guidance for states on two new Medicaid third-party liability requirements. The guidance is based on requirements reflected in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 and from the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Gallardo v. Marstiller. The first new provision increases state flexibility with respect to third-party […]
Physicians Must Consolidate Loans By May 1 to Obtain Loan Forgiveness
Physicians interested in pursuing public service loan forgiveness (PSLF) under new Department of Education rules should consolidate their loans into direct government loans by May 1. Physicians cannot obtain PSLF without a direct government loan. In December 2022, the PSLF regulations were updated with a fix sought by CHA — that all eligible California physicians can participate […]
President Biden Releases 2024 Budget Request
On March 9, President Biden released his $6.9 trillion proposed budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2024 to Congress. The proposed Health and Human Services (HHS) budget included in the request contains $144.3 billion in discretionary funding and $1.7 trillion in mandatory funding for FY 2024. The proposed HHS budget also extends the solvency of […]