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 to Issue Revised Fee-For-Service Cycle 10 Invoice for 2017-19 Hospital Fee Program
Later this week, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will send hospitals a revised invoice covering the last fee-for-service (FFS) payment (April-June 2019) related to the 2017-19 Hospital Fee Program. While the due date to DHCS will remain July 3, the overall fees for each hospital will be less than previously shared due to a slight over-collection from the Hospital Fee Program managed care cycles MC 1 and MC 2a (Jan. 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).
DHCS Issues Fee-For-Service Cycle 2 Supplemental Payment for 2017-19 Hospital Fee Program
Yesterday, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) issued the second supplemental fee-for-service (FFS) payment related to the 2017-19 Hospital Fee Program, accounting for the approximate 20% shortfall that occurred with the FFS cycle 2 payment in March 2018.
HQI Annual Conference Agenda Announced
The agenda for the 2019 Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) Annual Conference is set. To be held in Sacramento Oct. 14 and 15, the conference is the premiere event for advancing patient safety and quality initiatives.
CHA Urges Department of Managed Health Care to Clarify Exceptions to New Licensing Requirements
Yesterday, CHA submitted comments on the Department of Managed Health Care’s (DMHC) draft guidance implementing its recently finalized Knox-Keene licensure regulation. The regulation greatly expands the types of financial arrangements requiring a license, and hospitals are encouraged to consult with counsel to determine how the new requirements will impact their organization.
CHA Issues Summary of FFY 2020 Inpatient Psychiatric Facility PPS Proposed Rule
CHA has issued a summary of the federal fiscal year 2020 inpatient psychiatric facility (IPF) prospective payment system proposed rule. The summary describes payment, policy, and quality proposals under the IPF Quality Reporting Program. Comments on the proposed rule are due June 17.
Members Should Review CHA DataSuite Reports for Medicare Hospital Wage Index, Occupational Mix by May 30
CHA has provided member hospitals and health systems with revised reports on Medicare hospital wage index and occupational mix data analysis. The analyses are intended to provide a comparative review of the wage and occupational mix data that will be used to develop the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2020 Medicare hospital wage index.
More Than 300 Members of Congress Sign Bipartisan Letter Urging Delay of Medicaid DSH Cuts
A total of 302 members of Congress signed on to a bipartisan House letter urging Congress to delay cuts to Medicaid disproportionate share hospitals for at least two years. An overwhelming majority — 48 of 53 — of members of the California delegation cosigned the letter. CHA strongly supports this bipartisan effort and thanks members for their engagement on this critical issue.
CHA Applauds Court Decision to Move Forward With Implementation of New Liver Allocation Policy
A federal judge has denied a motion to delay implementation of the Acuity Circle Model, the new liver transplantation allocation policy approved by the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network (OPTN) in December 2018. OPTN launched the new liver distribution system on May 14. CHA has long supported this important policy.
White House Considers Mandatory Rate Disclosure
The Trump administration is considering mandating insurers to disclose their negotiated rates for hospital services. This follows a proposal earlier this year that would require hospitals and physicians to inform patients of the full cost of care prior to care being administered.
Draft Federal Legislation Addresses Surprise Billing
The Chair and Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Reps. Pallone (D-NJ) and Walden (R-OR), released draft legislation to address the issue of surprise billing and asked stakeholders to submit comments by May 28. CHA sent a letter to the California congressional delegation outlining our priorities.

