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 Grants Exceptions to Certain Quality Reporting Requirements for Counties Affected by California Wildfires
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has granted exceptions under certain Medicare quality reporting, value-based purchasing and payment programs to providers located in Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura counties, which have all been designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as major disaster areas (DR-4407) due to the impact of the California wildfires.
CHA Outlines Worksheet S-10 Concerns, Urges CMS to Delay Current Deadline for Cost Report Audits
Last week, CHA sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) outlining concerns about the use of Worksheet S-10 data in the Medicare uncompensated care (UCC) payment distribution methodology. CHA urged CMS to delay the current deadline for cost report audits.
DHCS Clarifies Guidance on Network Certification for Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has released All Plan Letter 19-002, which details reporting requirements for Medi-Cal managed care health plans (MCPs) during the annual network certification process.
CHA Supports Commission’s Recommendations to Grow, Diversify California’s Health Care Workforce
Expanding education and training, increasing diversity, and boosting capacity are crucial steps for ensuring California’s health care workforce can meet patient needs into the future, especially in underserved communities, according to a newly released report from the California Future Health Workforce Commission. CHA supports the commission’s 30 recommendations and the path it outlines to develop a workforce prepared to meet critical future needs.
Covered California Releases Report on Options for Improving Affordability
Today, Covered California submitted a report to the Legislature titled “Options to Improve Affordability in California’s Individual Health Insurance Market,” outlining options to improve affordability for low- and middle-income Californians.
OSHA Log 300A Deadlines Require Attention Today
Employers should be aware that important state and federal Occupational and Health Safety Administration (OSHA) deadlines require them to post 2018 Log 300A today at their work sites, and submit them electronically by March 2.
DHCS Reminds Providers That New Fee-for-Service Pharmacy Reimbursement Begins Feb. 23
Beginning Feb. 23, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will implement a new fee-for-service reimbursement methodology for covered outpatient drugs. The methodology will reimburse the lower of the actual acquisition cost (as determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), the federal upper limit, the maximum allowable ingredient cost, and the pharmacy’s usual and customary charge. For more details about the changes, visit the DHCS website.
Feb. 5 Webinar to Address Implementation of Children’s Hospital Bond Act of 2018
As shared previously in CHA News, the California Health Facilities Financing Authority (CHFFA) will host a webinar to address implementation of the Children’s Hospital Bond Act of 2018 on Feb. 5.
CalMedForce Awards $38 Million in Proposition 56 Graduate Medical Education Funding
This week, Physicians for a Healthy California announced 73 awards totaling $38 million in the inaugural cycle of its CalMedForce Program, which provides funding for graduate medical education programs in California.
Department of Veterans Affairs Proposes Access Standards for Veteran Community Care Program
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has proposed access standards under the new Veterans Community Care Program, as required by the MISSION Act of 2018. The VA also issued a proposed rule that establishes a new benefit for veterans to access urgent care services.