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 Comments on Proposed Changes to Independent Dispute Resolution Process
What’s happening: CHA has submitted comments in response to proposed changes to the No Surprises Act independent dispute resolution process.
What else to know: Comments were due Jan. 2.
DHCS Will Host Dec. 19 Webinar on Medi-Cal Professional Targeted Rate Increases
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is hosting an open webinar on Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. (PT) to answer questions about the implementation of targeted rate increases for Medi-Cal professional services, effective Jan. 1, 2024.
What else to know: Under the 2023 Budget Act, DHCS received authorization (pending federal approval) to increase rates for certain primary care, obstetric, and non-specialty mental health procedures to 87.5% of Medicare rates.
DHCS Releases Updated Managed Care Utilization Data to Determine Hospital Directed Payments
What’s happening: On Dec. 8, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released the latest round of Medi-Cal managed care utilization data to hospitals and health plans, which is used to determine the amount of funding each hospital will receive in the Private Hospital Directed Payment Program.
What else to know: Hospitals should download their data from the DHCS secure site as soon as possible as uploaded files will be deleted within 45 days.
DHCS Changes How Hospitals Access Their Payment Data Files
What’s happening: On Dec. 15, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is scheduled to discontinue access to their current secure data portal. Hospitals download data from this portal to use for various Medi-Cal payment programs.
What else to know: Hospitals that have not done so already are required to sign up for a new, more secure data portal that includes multi-factor authentication.
CHA Will Host Dec. 18 Webinar on Office of Health Care Affordability
What’s happening: CHA will host a complimentary, members-only webinar on Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. (PT) to discuss the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA).
CDPH Updates COVID-19 Guidance to Prepare for Winter Virus Surge
What’s happening: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has published All Facilities Letter 23-26, which streamlines and updates recommendations for the prevention and control of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses in skilled-nursing facilities (SNF).
What else to know: SNFs are asked to ensure staff readiness for the upcoming winter respiratory virus season, which includes prompt testing and treatment.
Children’s Behavioral Health Services Lack Timely Access
What’s happening: The California State Auditor recently investigated children’s access to Medi-Cal-covered behavioral health services.
What else to know: The auditor concluded that many Medi-Cal health plans were out of compliance with state requirements for timely care and that the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is not adequately disciplining health plans.
Five California Teaching Hospitals Awarded Additional Residency Slots
What’s Happening: New graduate medical education (GME) residency slots have been allotted to teaching hospitals serving geographic areas and underserved populations.
What Else to Know: Applications for the third round of residency positions will open in January and close March 31.
Summary: Proposed Policy Changes for Medicare Advantage Plans
What’s Happening: A members-only summary from Health Policy Alternatives, Inc. of the proposed policy changes for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans is available.
What Else to Know: The proposed policies affect MA (Part C), Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D), Medicare cost plans, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.
DHCS Authorizes Doulas Without Physician Approval for Any Medi-Cal Member
What’s happening: A new update on doula regulations from the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) removes the need for physician approval to allow doulas to be present during deliveries in hospitals.
What else to know: DHCS Medical Director, Karen Mark, MD, has authorized doula services for any Medi-Cal member who is pregnant or was pregnant within the past year and wishes to receive services from a doula while pregnant or within one year of pregnancy.
