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
Hospital Quality Institute Announces New Webinars, Workshops
As part of its programming for Health Services Advisory Group’s Hospital Improvement Innovation Network, the Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) offers web-based learning opportunities to strengthen patient and family engagement and address health care disparities. There is no cost to attend, and the events are open to all hospitals participating in the innovation network.
The first event, on Jan. 23 from noon to 1 p.m. (PT), will discuss strategies for recruiting patient and family advisors. Part of the monthly Patient and Family Engagement Think Tanks series, the event will be guided by Libby Hoy of PFCCpartners. The Think Tanks feature peer learning and expert technical assistance for meeting the patient and family engagement metrics endorsed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Registration is available online.
Informational Webinar to Address California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative
The California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative will host an informational webinar on Jan. 25 from noon to 1 p.m. (PT) for hospitals interested in joining the collaborative and using its Maternal Data Center to improve their perinatal performance. The California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative is a multi-stakeholder organization committed to ending preventable morbidity, mortality and racial disparities in California maternity care. The organization uses research, quality improvement toolkits, statewide outreach collaboratives and its Maternal Data Center to improve health outcomes for mothers and infants. Webinar details are available online.
National Advisory Committee Publishes Two New Policy Briefs on Rural Health
The National Advisory Committee on Rural Health & Human Services — a citizens’ panel of nationally-recognized rural health experts that provides semi-annual recommendations on rural issues to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services — has released two new policy briefs. The first brief, titled Understanding the Impact of Suicide in Rural America, recommends that the Secretary 1) require the department to conduct a national comprehensive evaluation that assesses existing state and tribal efforts to reduce rural suicide rates and that identifies successful evidence-based, rural-specific strategies that can be implemented within states and tribal communities; and 2) require the Agency for Health Research and Quality and the National Institutes of Mental Health to conduct research on the use of community health workers to determine if these efforts can reduce suicide risk and increase referrals for at-risk individuals. The second brief, Modernizing Rural Health Clinic Provisions, offers a number of recommendations to improve the statutory and regulatory foundation of rural health clinics, which has not been updated in 30 years and is not well aligned to meet today’s health care needs.
CHA Distributes 2017-19 Hospital Fee Program Schedules
On Jan. 12 the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) sent hospitals invoices covering the first six fee-for-service cycles of the 2017-19 Hospital Fee Program. The first invoice has a due date of Feb. 5; hospitals will receive the first fee-for-service payment on Feb. 26. On Friday, CHA distributed hospital-specific schedules to assist in tracking when the fees are due to DHCS and when fee-for-service payments should be received. The schedules were created using the draft model that was sent to hospitals last week in CHA News, and include an estimate of the pledge contribution to the California Health Foundation and Trust (if applicable). The information in the schedules represents CHA’s best estimates based on the portions of the program currently approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. If any hospital does not pay its fees to DHCS in full and on time, all hospitals will receive decreased supplemental fee-for-service payments.
CHA has also included estimates for the Medi-Cal managed care components of the 2017-19 Hospital Fee Program. However, it is important to note that the managed care components of the program have not been approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and, therefore, the payment amounts in the draft model are very preliminary. Furthermore, the supplemental Medi-Cal managed care payments made through the new directed payment mechanism have been estimated using inpatient utilization data publicly reported to the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development for the fiscal year ending in 2015. However, in actuality, the directed payments will be made for inpatient and outpatient services provided to in-network patients during the current state fiscal year. CHA will continue to update members through CHA News; all updates can be found on the CHA website.
Analysis Shows Policies Could Lead to Dramatic 2019 Premium Increases
According to an analysis Covered California issued last week, health care insurance premiums could increase dramatically in 2019, with increases of 16 to 30 percent if no steps are taken to mitigate recent federal decisions, such as removing the individual mandate penalty, and reducing funding for marketing outreach. While California and other state-based marketplaces are not affected by funding reductions, the 39 states served by the federally facilitated marketplace could face premiums that are 4 to 9 percent higher in 2019 because of the decision not to promote enrollment. Covered California notes that the potential expansion of short-term, limited-duration plans and the potential impact of association health plans selling across state lines could divert healthy consumers from the common risk pool of the individual markets, worsening the risk mix and raising premiums for those who remain covered.
Small House Skilled-Nursing Facilities Pilot Program Seeks Participants
The California Department of Public Health has released two All Facilities Letters, 17-29 and 17-30, related to the Small House Skilled-Nursing Facilities Pilot Program. The program, authorized by Senate Bill 1228 (Chapter 671, Statutes of 2012), allows the department to authorize the development and operation of up to 10 small house skilled-nursing facilities that are licensed to provide skilled-nursing care and supportive care to patients in small, homelike, residential settings that incorporate emerging patient-centered health care concepts. The department also released program standards that outline location, building design, staffing and training requirements. Interested facilities are encouraged to review application procedures, scoring criteria and the participation agreement.
CMS Regional Office to Hold Call on Data Submission for Quality Payment Program
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) San Francisco Regional Office will hold a call Feb. 1 at 3 p.m. (PT) to discuss data submission as part of the Quality Payment Program. Discussion topics include an overview of the submission process, program updates and options for clinicians in small practices to receive free technical assistance. Speakers include Dr. Ashby Wolfe, CMS’ chief medical officer for the San Francisco Regional Office, and Neal Logue, a CMS health insurance specialist. Registration is available online.
CHA Urges Support of Bill to Increase Preparedness Funding
Today, CHA sent the attached letter to the California congressional delegation supporting House Resolution 4776, the Hospital Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2018.
The bill would increase the level of federal funding to the Hospital Preparedness Program, the only source of federal funding authorized to support regional health care system preparedness and readiness for natural disasters and threats. CHA established the CHA Hospital Preparedness Program through this grant funding. In its letter, CHA notes that the program is critical to establishing necessary resources and sustained support for hospitals in all-hazards disaster planning and response.
Applications Open for Mental Health Triage Grant Funds
The Mental Health Oversight and Accountability Commission is now accepting applications for funding under the Investment in Mental Health Wellness Act of 2013. The grant cycle will run for three fiscal years, with approximately $16 million available per year. The funding is intended to support triage services for adults aged 22 and older, and transition-age youth (ages 16 to 25). Applications are due March 9. For more details, visit the commission’s website.
New Law Modifies Notice, Planning Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities
The California Department of Public Health has released All Facilities Letter 18-10, clarifying that, when long-term care facilities have a change in licensure or operation that will result in an ability to care for residents, they must meet new notice and planning requirements. Assembly Bill 275 (Chapter 185, Statutes of 2017), which took effect Jan. 1, requires facilities to provide 60 days’ notice to residents and the state long-term care ombudsman, as well as notify in writing the Department of Health Care Services and any affected health plan at least 60 days before the change. The law also specifies requirements for community meetings, proposed relocation plans, resident assessments and withdrawal of closure.
