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
CHA Details Policies Finalized in FFY 2014 SNF Rule
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
CHA has prepared a detailed summary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) skilled-nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) final rule for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2014. In addition to payment updates for SNFs, CMS finalizes proposals to revise and update the SNF market basket to reflect 2010 costs and institutes a new reporting item — “distinct calendar days of therapy” — for the minimum data set. CMS also continues its discussion and review of a study on alternative approaches to paying for SNF therapy services and continues to seek input on this issue. Attached is CHA’s detailed summary of the final rule. The final rule is available at www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-08-06/pdf/2013-18776.pdf.
SB 289 Becomes 2-Year Bill
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
CHA-sponsored seismic legislation, SB 289 (Ducheny, D-San Diego), has become a two-year bill. Proponents and other key players are willing to move the bill early next year.
CMS Releases ICD-10 Fact Sheet
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a fact sheet on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition (ICD-10). Hospitals must comply with the new coding system by Oct. 1, 2013.
The new classification system provides significant improvements over the 30-year-old ICD-9 system, according to CMS.
CHA DataSuite Issues Quality Reports
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
CHA member hospitals have received four individualized CHA DataSuite reports with information compiled from the hospital quality measure database provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The reports provide hospitals with quality-performance benchmark measures in relation to all California and U.S. hospitals.
H1N1 Session Expanded for Disaster Conference
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
An update on the H1N1 influenza virus will be presented at CHA’s Disaster Planning for California Hospitals conference Sept. 14-16 in Sacramento. An expanded panel presentation led by Gilberto Chavez, M.D., state epidemiologist and chief of the Center for Infectious Disease, California Department of Public Health (CDPH), will be held Sept. 15.
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.
