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 DataSuite Releases Analysis of Final Rule on Home Health PPS
CHA DataSuite has issued hospital-specific analyses intended to show providers how Medicare fee-for-service payments will change from calendar year (CY) 2018 to 2019 based on the CY 2019 Medicare home health prospective payment system final rule.
CMS Proposes Risk Adjustment Changes for Medicare Advantage Plans in 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued Part I of its 2020 Advance Notice of Methodological Changes for Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part D Payment Policies, including proposed updates to the risk adjustment model for capitated payments for MA plans, as required by the 21st Century Cures Act.
Federal Judge Rules Against 340B Reimbursement Cuts
Last week, a federal judge ruled that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) exceeded its authority in the 2018 outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) by substantially reducing reimbursements under the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
New Law Changes Training Requirements for Medical Licensure in California Starting in 2020
A new law that takes effect in 2020 requires all physicians obtaining a California license to have at least three years of post-graduate training, rather than the current one year of training.
Health Care Facilities Reminded of New Requirement to Provide Plant-Based Meals
The California Department of Public Health reminds health care providers that, effective Jan. 1, they must make plant-based meal options — without meat, poultry, fish, dairy or eggs — available to patients, in accordance with their physician’s orders. For more information about the law, see page 15 of CHA’s 2018 Report on Legislation.
CDC Updates Alert on Life-Threatening Coagulopathy Associated with Synthetic Cannabinoids
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its health alert addressing a multistate outbreak of coagulopathy — a bleeding disorder that impacts the way blood clots — that has been linked to synthetic cannabinoid use.
CMS Finalizes Changes to Medicare Shared Savings Program
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a rule finalizing significant changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP), intending to accelerate the timeline for accountable care organizations (ACOs) to take on downside risk.
CHA Issues Summary of CY 2019 OPPS Final Rule
CHA has issued a summary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ final rule addressing rate updates and policy changes to the Medicare outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) and ambulatory surgical center payment system for calendar year (CY) 2019.
HHS Issues Request for Information on Modifying HIPAA Rules to Improve Coordinated Care
The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights issued a request for information (RFI) on potential changes to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act to promote coordinated, value-based care. The RFI seeks comment on HIPAA provisions that may present obstacles to these goals without meaningfully contributing to the privacy and security of protected health information.
Comments are due by 2 p.m. (PT) on Feb. 12, 2019.
CMS Seeks Comment on Potential Conflicts of Interest for Accrediting Organizations
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a request for information seeking comment on the financial relationship between Medicare-approved accrediting organizations (AOs) and the health care facilities they accredit. CMS is interested in input on actual or perceived conflicts of interest when AOs charge for consulting services to the facilities they monitor.