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
Medicare Sequester Relief Passes
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
Today, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 1868 as amended, which will continue to delay the implementation of the 2% Medicare sequester until the end of the 2021 calendar year. The House passed the bill last week.
Without action by the House and Senate, the Medicare sequester was set to resume on April 1. The House version included additional protections from cuts to Medicare beginning in 2022; the Senate version did not so the House will have to take up the Senate version. It’s expected to pass, and the President is expected to sign the measure. CHA supported H.R. 1868 and thanks all member hospitals that advocated on behalf of the bill.
Updates for the Week of March 22
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the following updates this week:
ONC Updates Information Blocking FAQs
Medicare Shared Savings Program: Application Deadlines for January 1, 2022, Start Date
Update to Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Payment Limits
PT During COVID-19 & Response to Texas Storm
Home Health Payment Corrections
CHA Issues Alert: Urge Assemblymembers to Oppose Two Bills That Would Threaten Access to Care for Millions
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date. On Wednesday, CHA issued an Alert, asking hospitals to write to the chair of the Assembly Health Committee and urge members to oppose, unless amended, Assembly Bill (AB) 1130, related to the Office of Health Care Affordability; and oppose AB 1132, related to health […]
FEMA Releases Updated Policy for Public Assistance Related to COVID-19
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released an updated version of its “Coronavirus Pandemic Medical Care Eligible for Public Assistance” policy.
The updated version includes a new section on allowable costs associated with COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration. It also updates the conditions of receiving funding to ensure that recipients focus the use of FEMA funding on underserved populations and high-risk communities. Finally, the policy provides details on changes to the federal cost share percentage.
CDC Grants to Public Health Departments Will Address COVID-19 Disparities; Informational Calls March 30
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced an initiative to invest $2.25 billion over two years to address COVID-19-related health disparities and advance health equity among populations that are high risk and underserved, including racial and ethnic minority groups and people living in rural areas.
New Study Analyzes Behavioral Health Care Utilization During COVID-19 Pandemic
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An analysis of insurance claims from the same periods in 2019 and 2020 found that mental health and substance use disorder inpatient admissions dropped through April 2020 — similar to decreases seen in physical health care services. However, subsequent behavioral health inpatient admissions increased through August 2020 at a much higher rate than medical services, with admission rates exceeding 2019 levels in the third quarter.
HHS Updates Data Reporting Guidance
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently updated its guidance to hospitals on the reporting of COVID-19-related data. It includes the addition of new COVID-19 therapeutic fields and updates to the vaccination fields. Additionally, fields related to personnel protective equipment re-use and extended use are now optional.
Updates to data reporting include:
CHA Submits Pre-Regulatory Comments on No Surprises Act
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CHA has submitted comments to the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury related to the implementation of the No Surprises Act.
The legislation limits patient out-of-pocket costs to the in-network amount for emergency medical care provided by out-of-network facilities and providers and in certain situations where care is delivered at an in-network facility by an out-of-network provider.
Learn About Applying for FEMA Assistance Grants During CHA Webinar
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This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date. On April 1 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. (PT), CHA is joining with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) team on a webinar to help hospitals apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance grants. During this complimentary, […]
CMS Publishes Clarifications on IRF-PAI, LTCH-CARE
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has published Question & Answer documents for the patient assessment instruments (PAIs) used in inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) and long-term care hospitals (LTCHs).
