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
CMS Revises Investigation Timelines for EMTALA and Deaths Associated With Seclusion, Restraint
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released revisions to the State Operations Manual, Appendix V, effective June 4, on complaint investigation timelines for Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) and deaths associated with seclusion or restraint for hospitals and critical access hospitals.
Elaine Batchlor, MD, MPH Receives Prestigious Health Care Leadership Award
Elaine Batchlor, MD, MPH, founding CEO of Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital in Los Angeles, has been honored with the Partners in Care Foundation’s Vision & Excellence in Healthcare Leadership Award. Dr. Batchlor received the award for her forward-thinking leadership in building a responsive model of community-wide care at the hospital.
VA Issues Final Rule Implementing Veterans Community Care Program
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has issued its final rule implementing the criteria for determining when covered veterans may elect to receive necessary hospital, medical, and extended care services from non-VA entities or providers under the Veterans Community Care Program. The final rule became effective June 6, when the Veterans Community Care Program replaced the Veterans Choice Program, as required by the MISSION Act of 2018.
Livanta to Serve as California’s Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization for 5 More Years
On May 10, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded Livanta a contract to continue to serve as California’s beneficiary and family centered care quality improvement organization (BFCC-QIO) for an additional five years, beginning June 8-May 30, 2024.
CMS Updates CAR-T Billing Instructions
On May 28, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new instructions for providers billing Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell therapy services for Medicare patients.
CDPH Issues Hot Summer Weather Advisory
The California Department of Public Health’s Licensing and Certification Program has issued a reminder to health care facilities that, as the hot summer weather begins, they should have contingency plans in place to deal with the potential loss of air conditioning; ensure patients and residents are free of adverse conditions that may cause heat-related complications; and report extreme heat conditions that compromise patient health or require evacuation, transfer, or discharge of patients. More information and guidance are available in All Facilities Letter 19-21.
Legislature Makes Budget Decisions on Key Health Care Issues
Over the weekend, the Legislature’s budget conference committee completed its work of negotiating the differences between the Governor’s, Assembly’s, and Senate’s budgets. The Senate and Assembly now need to approve the final budget bill and the accompanying trailer bills and send them to the Governor no later than June 15, for his approval by July 1.
U.S. Pharmacopeia Publishes New and Revised Compounding Standards
The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) has released newly revised standards to assist health care practitioners in consistently producing high-quality compounded medicines that are the right strength and free of contaminants. The final USP 797, USP 825, and USP 795 and General Chapter 800 standards will take effect Dec. 1.
Hospital Leader Speaks Out Against Violence on National Day of Awareness
Every day, hospitals stand united to prevent and reduce violence. To support today’s Hospitals Against Violence national awareness day, Scripps Health CEO Chris Van Gorder speaks out on behalf of workplace and community safety in a new CHA-produced video clip.
Providers with Multiple Service Locations Urged to Ensure Claims Data Exactly Match Enrollment Information
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will activate billing claims edits for outpatient providers with multiple service locations in July. Once CMS implements the July 2019 quarterly release, Medicare administrative contractors will be directed to permanently turn on edits and return claims that do not exactly match.