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
New Law Increases Fines for Retaliation Against Whistleblowers
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The California Department of Public Health has released All Facilities Letter 17-28 notifying health facilities that a new law increases the maximum penalty to $75,000 for health facilities that are found to have discriminated or retaliated against patients, employees, medical staff or other health care workers for presenting a complaint against the facility or cooperating in an investigation of a facility. The law became effective Jan. 1. Questions should be directed to hospitals’ local Licensing and Certification district offices.
Updates Available on Post-Acute Care Quality Reporting
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released important updates on post-acute care quality reporting programs, including training opportunities, public reporting and reminders about data submission and review deadlines.
Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility/Long-Term Care Hospital Updates
Inpatient rehabilitation facilities and long-term care hospitals may preview performance data on each quality measure based on the second quarter of 2016 through first quarter of 2017. For more information:
IRF Quality Public Reporting LTCH Quality Public Reporting
Rural Health Clinic Surveyor Guidance Revised
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued Survey & Certification Letter 18-09, outlining revised guidance to state survey agency directors about the state operations manual for rural health clinics, intended to clarify existing rural health clinic regulations. While the Medicare conditions for certification have not changed, the updated document includes a new section detailing specific survey process guidance and reorganizes interpretive guidelines, along with the associated survey procedures. CHA encourages members with rural health clinics to review the updated guidance.
Provider Alert Reports No Statewide Shortage of Antiviral Medications
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The California Department of Public Health has issued a provider alert on influenza antiviral recommendations and strategies to obtain influenza antivirals, reporting there does not appear to be a nationwide antiviral shortage. Pharmacies are encouraged to contact their wholesaler’s customer service desk to request drop shipments of antivirals from the manufacturers if the wholesaler is unable to supply needed medications in a timely manner. More information about influenza activity is available at www.calhospital.org/infection-control.
New Law Clarifies Diesel Backup Generator Testing
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The California Department of Public Health has released the attached All Facilities Letter 18-02, informing facilities that AB 1014 (Chapter 145, Statutes of 2017) took effect Jan. 1. The new law continues to clarify that facilities are required to test and maintain each of their diesel backup generators and standby systems in conformance with the National Fire Protection Association 110: Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems, which is an extension of a current requirement. The bill does not change the regulation of diesel backup generator testing by the state’s Air Resources Board or local air quality districts.
DHCS Sends 2017-19 Hospital Fee Program Invoices to Hospitals
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
Today, the Department of Health Care Services sent hospitals invoices covering the first six fee-for-service cycles of the 2017-19 Hospital Fee Program. The first invoice has a due date of Feb. 5 and covers Jan 1. 2017 – March 31, 2017. Hospitals will receive the first fee-for-service payment on Feb. 26. The estimated implementation schedule for the 10 fee-for-service cycles is attached.
CHA is in the process of updating the fee and payment model to reflect final invoice amounts, as well as the fee-for-service payment amounts recently approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The updated 2017-19 Hospital Fee Program model is scheduled for release next week, with hospital-specific schedules to be distributed soon after.
Requirements Issued for Requesting Flexibility to Accommodate Increase in Patients
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released the attached All Facilities Letter 18-09, detailing requirements for requesting a temporary program flex for increased patient accommodations, such as medical tents, during a disease outbreak or unexpected events such as a disaster or mass casualty incident. The department reminds providers that requests for program flex must include justification and supporting documentation that patient care will not be compromised. Program flex requests are intended for a temporary increase in patient accommodations, surge tent use or space conversions related to emergencies; they are not to be used as long-term solutions for chronic problems such as emergency department overcrowding. Facilities that wish to request a program flex should contact their CDPH district office.
Investigational Drug Available for Treatment of Free-Living Ameba Infections
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now has an expanded-access investigational new drug protocol in effect with the Food and Drug Administration to make miltefosine available directly from CDC for treatment of free-living ameba infections in the U.S. A recent update issued by the Health Alert Network — including background information, recommendations and links to additional resources — is available on the CDC website at http://emergency.cdc.gov/HAN/han00354.asp.
CMS Overview of ICD-10 Implementation Now Available
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
To help providers as they transition to the ICD-10 diagnosis and procedural coding system on Oct. 1, 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services last week presented the attached overview, including information about benefits and structure, coding examples and suggested training strategies. For additional resources, FAQs and more information on the transition to ICD-10, visit www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/ICD10/index.html?redirect=/icd10.
New Initiative Changes Review of Facility-Initiated SNF Discharges
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the attached Survey & Certification Letter 18-08 describing an initiative to address facility-initiated discharges from skilled-nursing facilities that violate federal regulations. CMS notes that while federal law protects skilled-nursing facility residents, including their right to remain in the facility except under certain specific circumstances, state long-term care ombudsmen report frequent complaints of facility-initiated discharge or eviction.
CMS notes that the most commonly reported reasons for facility-initiated discharge or eviction are behavioral, mental or emotional expressions or indications of resident distress. In some cases, residents become homeless or remain in hospitals for extended periods.
