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
CMS Issues CY 2021 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its calendar year (CY) 2021 physician fee schedule (PFS) proposed rule. In addition to addressing annual payment updates for Medicare Part B clinicians and changes to the quality payment program, CMS includes several proposals to make certain COVID-19 telehealth and scope of practice flexibilities permanent, and delays clinical laboratory reporting requirements – including for hospital outreach laboratories – until 2022.
CMS Issues CY 2021 OPPS Proposed Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its calendar year (CY) 2021 outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) proposed rule. In addition to annual payment and quality updates, CMS proposes significant cuts for drugs purchased under the 340B drug savings program, would eliminate the inpatient-only (IPO) list over three years, expand the list of outpatient services subject to prior authorization, and make significant changes to the hospital star ratings methodology.
CMS Issues FFY 2021 IPF PPS Final Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its federal fiscal year (FFY) 2021 inpatient psychiatric facility (IPF) prospective payment system (PPS) final rule. CMS finalized an overall payment increase of 2.3% — approximately $95 million — for IPFs, compared to FFY 2020.
CHA Submits Support Letter for Telehealth Act
On July 31, CHA sent a letter to Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), voicing support for the Protecting Access to Post-COVID–19 Telehealth Act of 2020 (H.R. 7663). The bill would remove long-standing barriers to telehealth services and improve access to care for not just Californians but patients across the country.
CHPSO Name Change Announced
This week, the Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) issued a news release on the California Hospital Patient Safety Organization’s (CHPSO) name change, which was made to better reflect the organization’s work and membership. The new name is Collaborative Healthcare Patient Safety Organization.
CMS Approves First Waiver Request to Extend Medi-Cal 2020
Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved an amendment to California’s section 1115 demonstration, titled “Medi-Cal 2020,” which will allow California to continue to operate the Global Payment Program for a six-month period to align with the expiration of the demonstration on Dec. 31, 2020. This is the first of two important requests, where California’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is asking CMS to extend the Medi-Cal 2020 waiver set to expire later this year.
Court Suspends ‘Public Charge’ Rule
On July 29, a U.S. district court issued a nationwide injunction preventing the Department of Homeland Security from enforcing the “public charge” federal regulations that took effect last August. The court held that the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically increased the potential risk of harm of foregoing benefits to immigrants, justifying the injunction during the public health emergency.
Appeals Court Upholds Payment Cut for 340B Hospitals
On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit overturned a 2018 district court decision that found the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) exceeded its statutory authority when it reduced 2018 and 2019 Medicare payment rates for many hospitals in the 340B Drug Pricing Program by nearly 30%.
Hospital Fee Program Invoices Due Aug. 20
On Friday, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) mailed the 2017-19 Hospital Fee Program managed care state fiscal year 2018-19 directed payment invoices (July 1-Dec. 31, 2018). Hospitals are reminded that payment is due Aug. 20 and that DHCS prefers fee payments to be made via electronic funds transfer.
Updated Hepatitis A Vaccine Information Statement Released
On July 28, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an updated interim vaccine information statement for the hepatitis A vaccine. Federal law requires that health care providers give the relevant vaccine information statement to each patient (or parent/legal representative) who is vaccinated.
