The newsroom includes access to CHA News, which provides timely information to members every 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
DHCS Issues Final Concept Paper on Medi-Cal Waiver
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has revised and published a document outlining the state’s concept for a Medi-Cal waiver that would go into effect Sept. 1, replacing the state’s current waiver for hospital financing and uninsured care that expires Aug. 31.
Health Care Reform Targets Fraud and Abuse; Compliance Manual Addresses Complex Laws
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
To help pay for the nearly $1 trillion implementation cost of health care reform, President Obama directed federal and state authorities to expand their use of recovery audits to reduce fraudulent, wasteful or abusive practices within Medicare, Medicaid and other government programs. Under this directive, hospitals should expect increased scrutiny of government reimbursement of health care.
CMS Proposes Rule to Streamline Telemedicine Accreditation Requirements
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a proposed rule that would alter its Conditions of Participation for hospitals, including Critical Access Hospitals, to allow them to use information provided by other Medicare-approved hospitals in making credentialing and privileging decisions for off-site physicians providing telemedicine services.
CMS Posts Provider Information on IRF PPS Changes
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
In response to inquiries from the provider community, the Center for Medicare & MediCal Services (CMS) has posted to its website a transcript of their November 12 provider conference call regarding changes to the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual (MBPM) and new requirements for the inpatient rehabilitation facilities prospective payment system (IRF PPS). In addition, CMS has posted three additional documents based on “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQs) received from IRFs across the country.
Recent Developments Announced on CHA’s Medi-Cal Rate Lawsuits
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
On March 26, the court granted CHA’s motion to intervene in Independent Living Center of Southern California, et al, v. Shewry, a lawsuit currently pending in federal court challenging the 2008 10 percent Medi-Cal rate cuts.
Dr. Anna Pou to Address Disaster Planning Conference
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Anna Pou, MD, a professor with the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, will give a keynote address Sept. 23 at CHA’s Disaster Planning for California Hospitals conference.
Providers Should Be Aware of Leuconostoc Bacteremia Associated With Total Parenteral Nutrition
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The California Department of Public Health has alerted providers that two cases of Leuconostoc bacteremia, associated with total parenteral nutrition, are being investigated in children in Illinois. California health care providers that identify a case of Leuconostoc bacteremia associated with total parenteral nutrition should contact the department’s Healthcare-Associated Infection Program at HAI@cdph.ca.gov. Basic information to report includes pharmacy/total parenteral nutrition supplier, lot numbers, dates of use, places of purchase, dates of purchase and home health agency, if applicable.
Therapy Claims Processing Delayed
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced it will delay processing of current claims for physical, speech and occupational therapy for a limited period. The delay, which took effect Jan. 1, is the result of the expiration of several Medicare legislative provisions at the end of 2017, including the exceptions process for outpatient therapy caps. CMS further notes that if legislation on therapy caps is not enacted “in this short period of time,” it will proceed to release the claims for processing.
The current outpatient therapy cap is $2,010 per year for physical therapy and speech/language pathology combined, and $2,010 per year for occupational therapy. Absent the exceptions process, beneficiaries whose therapy exceeds these caps will be responsible for payment.
When the caps were implemented in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, most hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) were excluded. Subsequent legislation established the exceptions process and expanded the caps to include HOPDs. If Congress does not act to extend current law, most HOPDs will be exempt from the caps. However, legislation on this issue has been introduced in Congress and may result in re-establishing the caps for 2018. CHA will monitor this issue closely and share information with members as soon as it is available.
Hospital Compliance Seminar Speakers Set
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
CHA’s annual Hospital Compliance Seminar, to be held Feb. 6 in Pasadena and Feb. 21 in Sacramento, will feature a team of speakers from Hooper, Lundy & Bookman PC, including partners Patric Hooper and Lloyd Bookman.
The seminar will address recent changes in state and federal law and provide critical information to protect hospitals and staff. Fines have increased across the board, the California Department of Public Health has updated its privacy breach investigation process, and the federal government has increased its focus on sanctioning individuals for fraud and abuse violations. It is more important than ever that hospitals stay informed.
Attendees will receive a complimentary copy of CHA’s 2018 Hospital Compliance Manual, which covers all applicable California and federal laws. This hands-on program is a must-attend for all hospital compliance professionals. For more information and to register today, visit www.calhospital.org/hospital-compliance.
CHA Rural Healthcare Center Offers Representation, Collaboration
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Recognizing that rural and critical access hospitals are unique in their communities and among their peers, CHA maintains an advisory board and policy center dedicated to the needs and challenges of members in rural areas. The CHA Rural Healthcare Center represents hospitals whose size and distance from population centers play a distinct role in the world of health care delivery. The center is governed by an advisory board that represents the rural perspective and helps set policy goals that best serve rural hospitals. Advocating for their interests in federal and state legislative and regulatory processes, the center makes its voice heard through the advisory board chair, who in turn serves as a member of the CHA Board of Trustees.
The Rural Healthcare Center is a valuable resource, an excellent source of information about current policy initiatives and a way for members to communicate the obstacles they’re facing. Whether looking at cuts through the federal sequester or changes to Medi-Cal reimbursement, creating a forum where rural members can collaborate ensures CHA’s leadership understands their needs.
For more information about the Rural Healthcare Center, contact Peggy Broussard Wheeler, vice president, rural health care and governance, at (916) 552-7689 or pwheeler@calhospital.org.
