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
DHCS Hosting Webinars on Changes in DRG Implementation
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is hosting two webinars specific to changes in diagnosis-related group (DRG) implementation for state fiscal year 2020-21.
DHCS Releases Hospital-Directed Payment Encounter Data File
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has released three new hospital-directed payment data sets, available via the Secure File Transfer Protocol site (the site is only intended for file transfers, and uploaded files will be deleted within 45 days).
Cal/OSHA Issues Guidance on Mandated Surveillance Exams and Consideration of Temporary Delay Due to COVID-19 Risks
Last week, Cal/OSHA issued guidance for employers on which surveillance exams, required under CalOSHA standards, may be delayed to due COVID-19 risks.
DHCS Issues Checkwrite Hold for Certain Provider Payments
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has announced it will delay specific checkwrites scheduled for the last two weeks of the state fiscal year (June) until the start of the next fiscal year. The two-week checkwrite hold policy has been in effect for several years.
Register Now for Upcoming CHA Webinars
CHA is currently offering numerous webinars to help members understand ever-changing regulations and their obligations as health care providers. Upcoming webinar topics include:
CHA Shares HPA Summary of CMS FFY 2021 Long-Term Care Hospital PPS Proposed Rule
CHA has issued a detailed summary, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) federal fiscal year (FFY) 2021 long-term care hospital prospective payment system (PPS) proposed rule.
CHA Releases On-Demand Webinar and Summary of FFY 2021 IPPS Proposed Rule
CHA has made available a detailed summary and on-demand video presentation on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) federal fiscal year (FFY) 2021 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) proposed rule. Comments on the proposed rule are due July 10.
DHCS Requests Extension of 1915(b) Speciality Mental Health Services Waiver
On May 8, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) formally requested an 18-month extension of the state’s current Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) Waiver authorized under Section 1915(b) of the Social Security Act.
CHA Alert: Urge State Senators to Oppose New Bureaucracy Over Hospital Transactions
CHA has issued an alert to member hospitals and health systems about Senate Bill 977 (Monning, D-Carmel), asking them to contact their state senator and urge opposition by June 16. The bill would require hospital systems to get the California attorney general’s approval before entering into an affiliation, agreement, partnership, joint venture, or other arrangement with another hospital/system, clinic, ambulatory surgery center, treatment center, laboratory, or physician office.
CDPH Identifies Opportunities to Increase HIV, Hepatitis C, and STD Testing
The California Department of Public Health Office of AIDS and STD Control Branch have released a Dear Colleague letter that identifies opportunities to increase testing for HIV, hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

