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
Study Finds Psychiatrists Receive Lower In-Network Reimbursement Than Other Medical Providers
A new study reports that psychiatrists receive lower in-network reimbursement than non-psychiatrist physicians for many of the same services — potentially contributing to psychiatrists’ lower participation in insurance networks than other providers. According to the study, the reimbursement disparity may also have implications for patient cost-sharing and access to psychiatrists.
Another recent report showed similar findings after examining whether insurers are abiding by the parity law when it comes to patient access to in-network providers and physician reimbursement rates.
Proposed Rule Seeks to Expand Rural Telehealth Access
The Federal Communications Commission today published the attached proposed rule that would update its Rural Health Care Program to increase access to broadband telehealth services. The proposed rule would waive the Rural Health Care Program’s annual cap for 2017 and allow unused funds from previous years to support current applicants. The program exceeded the $400 million annual cap in fiscal years 2016 and 2017. Comments on the proposed rule are due Feb. 2.
Mastering Medi-Cal Managed Care Webinar Set for Jan. 30
Over the past two years, the Medi-Cal program has grown significantly and now serves approximately one-third of Californians, with nearly 80 percent enrollment in managed care. This rapid expansion has meant a large transition for particularly vulnerable populations, including seniors, people with disabilities and low-income families. This shift has also affected hospitals as they attempt to coordinate benefits and ensure Medi-Cal patients are receiving the right care, at the right place and the right time, and that Medi-Cal managed care plans meet their obligations in managing care for millions of Californians.
To help members better understand Medi-Cal managed care, CHA will host a webinar Jan. 30 from 10 a.m. – noon (PT). Chief operating officers, chief financial officers, clinical operations executives, case management directors, legal counsel and finance staff should plan to participate in this webinar. The program will begin with a background of Medi-Cal managed care, followed by top tips for contracting and working with Medi-Cal managed care plans. For more information and to register, visit www.calhospital.org/medi-cal-managed-care-web.
CFPB Proposes Rule Removing Medical Debt from Credit Reports
HRSA Announces Awards to Expand Medical Residencies in Rural Communities
What’s happening: The Health Resources and Services Administration awarded more than $11 million to 15 organizations to establish new residency programs in rural communities.
What else to know: Two California hospitals — Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley and Good Samaritan Hospital — were recipients of the investment.
Cedars-Sinai to Share Patient Experience Model, Volunteer Toolkit at Upcoming Volunteer Leadership Conference
The 2018 California Hospital Volunteer Leadership Conference, to be held Feb. 19-21 at the Hyatt Newport Beach, is an opportunity for hospital and community leaders to gain basic skills about the field of volunteer management. It is also an opportunity to showcase the immense scope of California’s hospital volunteer leadership network, especially its impact on the patient experience.
Alan Dubovsky, chief patient experience officer at Cedars-Sinai Health System, will lead a team from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in sharing their recent patient experience journey, the result of a re-envisioned focus and strategy around experience improvement. Attendees will learn how Cedars-Sinai created a new Patient Experience Department, as well as a focused action plan, and helped garner system-wide support— including from Volunteer Services — in launching multiple new patient experience efforts. Volunteer Services Director Barbara Leanse and Associate Director Casey McGuire will speak at the general session and accompanying “toolkit” workshop.
Hospital Volunteer Leadership Conference to Feature Session on Digital Storytelling
The 2018 California Hospital Volunteer Leadership Conference, Feb. 19-21 at the Hyatt Newport Beach, brings together hospital volunteer leaders engaged in the health of their communities.
This year’s conference will emphasize how sharing stories and information can help volunteers establish innovative ways to smoothly integrate funds, time and votes into the overall health care service delivery system. Julia C. Campbell, MPA, digital marketing strategist and founder of J Campbell Social Marketing, and Tracy Campbell, CHA vice president, digital advocacy, will present a hands-on session about using emotional, heart-centered storytelling to recruit volunteers and foster a sense of community. The session will focus on collecting and crafting compelling stories to attract a younger generation, and repurposing stories used on more traditional channels for digital media. Real-world examples from California hospital volunteer programs will be showcased.
The deadline to place advertisements in the printed program is Jan. 19. A discounted sleeping room rate at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach is available until Jan. 26. Sponsors are welcome to register at any time.
For more information and to register, visit www.calhospital.org/2018-volunteer-conference.
2018 Hospital Volunteer Leadership Conference to Feature Session on Behavioral Health Crisis
The 2018 California Hospital Volunteer Leadership Conference, Feb. 19-21 in Newport Beach, brings together experts in volunteerism, health care issues and the community for learning and networking opportunities.
Richard Afable, MD, MPH, 2018 chair, CHA and CAHHS boards of trustees, and trustee, Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center, will present the conference’s opening session on Feb. 19, titled “Behavioral and Mental Health Crisis: An Epidemic and An Opportunity.” Dr. Afable will explore the crisis within California’s behavioral health system, which is fragmented, unresponsive to consumer needs, does not always emphasize recovery and serves only a fraction of those in need. Attendees will learn more about ways to solve this crisis using several types of emergency and crisis services under development within California, and the potential roles that volunteers play in the solutions.
New Approaches to Volunteerism Featured at Hospital Volunteer Leadership Conference
The 2018 California Hospital Volunteer Leadership Conference, taking place Feb. 19-21 at the Hyatt Newport Beach, provides new ways health care organizations and hospital volunteer leaders can foster connections, share news, meet potential partners, access knowledge networks and build relationships with other organizations.
The conference serves as both a catalyst and clearinghouse for new volunteer approaches to meet the challenges presented by health care delivery system transformation. In addition to sharing stories about data-driven efforts and program improvements, the conference’s education sessions will highlight how volunteers impact lives and build relationships that support the patients, staff and communities they serve.
California might miss swine flu inoculation goal because of vaccine shortage
If H1N1 flu vaccine shortages persist, California may not be able to vaccinate those most at risk by the end of December, public health officials said today. Health officials have said that at least 25 city and county health agencies have received less than 45% of the vaccine doses they ordered. The state’s goal had been to have all "high-risk" patients vaccinated by Dec.
