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
Judge to Hear Anthem’s Motions in CHA Lawsuit on Jan. 27
What’s happening: A Los Angeles Superior Court judge will hear two motions by Anthem Blue Cross on Jan. 27 to dismiss CHA’s lawsuit and strike requested remedies. In the lawsuit, CHA claims Anthem failed to provide timely post-hospital care for its members.
What else to know: CHA has filed opposition to each of the motions, disputing both Anthem’s legal arguments and its characterization of the facts. The judge’s decision could come as soon as the hearing, but no later than April 28.
CDPH Issues Regulatory Relief Instructions for Hospitals Impacted by Los Angeles Fires
What’s happening: On Jan. 21, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released two All Facilities Letters (AFLs), AFL 25-02 and AFL 25-03, intended for hospitals and skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs) impacted by the Los Angeles fires.
What else to know: The AFLs issue instructions for regulatory relief and explain the process for program flexes, including staffing waiver requests.
CMS Provides Additional Guidance on Beneficiary Observation Status Appeals
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued additional information, including billing instructions, for the Medicare Change of Status Notifications (MCSN).
What else to know: Beginning Feb. 14, CMS will require giving MCSNs to patients who are reclassified from inpatient to observation (outpatient) status.
Additional Participation Information Now Available on Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement
What’s happening: With additional information available on the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) antitrust claims settlement process, hospitals will benefit from reviewing the recent BCBS antitrust settlement agreement’s potential impact with their legal counsel, including whether to remain in or opt out of the settlement.
What else to know: BCBS plans (referred to as Blue Plans) have agreed to a $2.8 billion settlement to resolve legal allegations from a slew of providers who claim the insurers colluded to prevent competition and lower reimbursements. The settlement will bring a decade-long legal battle to a close, should it secure final approval.
CHA Webinar Covers New Medicare Conditions of Participation Updates
What’s happening: CHA will host a members-only webinar on Jan. 29 from 11 a.m. to noon (PT) to discuss the new Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoP) updates for obstetrical and other services. Registration is open.
What else to know: The requirements will be phased in over two years, with the first of the requirements in effect July 1.
CMS Now Requires Annual Reporting of Hospital Respiratory Data for Certain Facility Types
What’s happening: Effective January 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires certain facility types to report hospital respiratory data (HRD) to the National Healthcare Safety Network on an annual basis.
What else to know: All required data elements and reporting information can be found in the HRD Reporting Protocol.
Budget Work Begins to Determine Prop 35 Payments
Following last week’s release of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed $322 billion budget for 2025-26, work will now focus on ensuring allocations from a recently approved managed care organization tax are delivered in accordance with the intent of the ballot measure passed in November.
CMS Proposes Payment Updates for Medicare Advantage, Part D Plans for CY 2026
What’s happening: On Jan. 10, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued advance notice of proposed capitation rate and payment updates for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D plans for calendar year (CY) 2026.
What else to know: The final 2026 rate announcement is expected by April 7.
DHCS Shifts Deadline for Hospital Fee Program Payments to April 8
What’s happening: As previously shared with member hospitals via email, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has shifted the timing of fees and payments for the Hospital Quality Assurance Fee (HQAF) program attributable to the managed care pass-through cycle for the Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024, period.
What else to know: The fees associated with this cycle are now due April 8, 2025.
HCAI Releases White Paper on Seismic Instrumentation
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information’s (HCAI) recent white paper covers how useful and beneficial it is for health care facilities to utilize seismic instrumentations, such as various sensors that measure accelerations and displacements.
What else to know: The paper was developed by the Hospital Building Safety Board’s Instrumentation Committee and its information is valuable to hospital owners and managers, operators, design professionals, public officials, and the general public.
