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
CDPH Issues Health Advisory About Measles Cases
A new health advisory from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reminds providers to be aware of potential measles cases, as 16 cases have been reported in California since Jan. 1. CDPH notes that providers should not rule out a measles diagnosis based solely on patients reporting they previously received a measles immunization.
CHA DataSuite Releases Fourth Quarter 2018 Impact Analyses
CHA DataSuite has issued hospital-specific analyses showing the estimated impact of the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2020 Medicare inpatient Hospital-Acquired Condition (HAC) Reduction Program as well as the hospital Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program, based on publicly available data and program rules established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Independent Contractor Legislation Amended, Carves Physicians Out of Dynamex Test
Last week, Assembly Bill (AB) 5 (Gonzalez, D-San Diego) was amended to exempt physicians and several other classifications from the onerous Dynamex test for determining independent contractor status. CHA was instrumental in moving this forward.
Hospital Leaders Advance Debate on Seismic Mandate
CHA member hospitals today gathered in Sacramento for a Lobby Action Day (photo gallery) to urge legislators to support Senate Bill 758 (Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge), a bill that will be amended to give hospitals the flexibility they need to tailor post-disaster care to meet the unique needs of their communities. Today’s event followed a radio interview that CHA President & CEO Carmela Coyle participated in yesterday about a new report that says current seismic requirements may be outdated and prohibitively expensive.
New Website Allows Providers to Check Maximum 340B Drug Prices
A new website allows 340B Drug Pricing Program participants to determine the maximum drug companies can charge them for medications sold under the program. The website comes as a result of a recent lawsuit filed against the Health Resources and Services Administration by the American Hospital Association, which sought to force implementation of a final rule impacting drug ceiling prices and civil monetary penalties for manufacturers.
CHA Comments on Proposed Changes to Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings Methodology
Today, CHA submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on proposed changes to the Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings methodology.
Donate Life Month Emphasizes Importance of Organ Donation
April is National Donate Life Month, a time when organizations across the country educate and motivate individuals to register as organ, eye and tissue donors.
Hospitals that educate staff and community members about the need for donors can earn recognition from the Health Resources and Services Administration. For more information, contact donation@hrsa.gov.
One organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people and heal countless others with tissue donation. Anyone — regardless of age, ethnicity, or medical history — can register as a donor and help save the life of one of the over 21,000 people on California’s organ transplant waiting list. More information is available from Donate Life California, the state-authorized nonprofit organization that manages the registry.
General Acute Care, Acute Psychiatric Hospitals May Use Medication-Assisted Treatment for Narcotic Addiction
The California Department of Public Health has released All Facilities Letter (AFL) 19-02.1, which rescinds AFL 19-02 and further clarifies licensing requirements related to treatment for narcotic addiction.
2017-19 Hospital Fee Invoices Due April 3
In September 2018, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) sent hospitals invoices covering the last four fee-for-service (FFS) cycles of the 2017-19 Hospital Fee Program. The third invoice, Cycle 9 FFS, covers Jan. 1 – March 31, 2019, and is due April 3. Hospitals will receive the corresponding FFS payment on April 22.
CMS Postpones Billing Edits for OPPS Providers With Multiple Service Locations
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has postponed billing edits for outpatient providers with multiple service locations — scheduled to start in April — for three additional months.
