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
NHSN Makes Updates to Hospital Respiratory Data Reporting
What’s happening: The new Hospital Respiratory Data (HRD) module, including both the HRD Daily and HRD Weekly Reporting Pathways, is available in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) application, effective since Oct. 9.
What else to know: Facilities can voluntarily submit HRD prior to the Nov. 1 required reporting date. NHSN recommends that hospitals submit actual data (not “test” data) voluntarily to NHSN before Nov. 1 to ensure familiarity with the module and reporting processes.
Correction Notices Issued for Medicare Payment Final Rules
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued correction notices to the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2025 Medicare payment final rules.
What else to know: The changes are minor, and the inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) final rule changes are not reflective of the low-wage index interim final rule.
California Reaches $55 Million Settlement Agreement with L.A. Care Health Plan
What’s happening: On Oct. 8, California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) and Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) officials announced they have reached settlement agreements with the largest Medi-Cal plan in the state.
What else to know: The two agreements with the Local Initiative Health Authority for Los Angeles County (L.A. Care Health Plan) — a $35 million settlement with the DMHC and a $20 million settlement with the DHCS — require that L.A. Care Health Plan improve its operations to ensure timely access to medically necessary health care services for all plan members, among other actions.
United Through Crisis
Crisis has a way of reminding us of our commonalities.
Take, for instance, Hurricane Helene. Though California is far from the storm’s devastation, its effects have rippled all the way to our coast due to the temporary closure of Baxter International’s North Carolina plant, which supplies 60% of the nation’s IV fluids. Hospitals across the country are working to ensure continued patient care despite a shortage of supplies critical to emergency care, trauma, oncology, surgery, and other lifesaving services.
DHCS Issues Resource for CalAIM Transitional Care Services Care
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has issued a new technical assistance resource to support Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs) and others in implementing transitional care services (TCS) for Medi-Cal members who need long-term services and supports (LTSS) needs.
What else to know: Under the CalAIM population health management program, MCPs are responsible for delivering TCS to enrollees before, during, and after their transition from one care setting to another.
CMS Issues Updated Medicare Advantage Complaint Form
What’s happening: As previously reported, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has developed a process that allows providers to submit questions and complaints related to Medicare Advantage (MA) plan appeals or claims payment issues.
What else to know: The form serves as a mechanism for Medicare providers seeking CMS assistance to resolve specific MA claims issues; CMS will enter complete complaint forms into the complaints tracking module and direct the MA to investigate the case.
CMS Issues Report on Acute Hospital Care at Home
What’s happening: As required by the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a report on several aspects of the Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCaH) initiative, which provided waivers that allowed individual hospitals to give inpatient-level care in the home environment.
What else to know: The waiver program launched during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), and the CAA extended it beyond the PHE’s end, allowing it to continue through Dec. 31 of this year.
Registration Is Open for 2024 CDPH Leadership Updates and District Sessions
Prop 35 Campaign Releases Hospital-Specific Social Media Toolkit
What’s happening: The election is 24 days away, and every vote is critical — help spread the word to vote yes on Proposition (Prop) 35 with the new Prop 35 Social Media Toolkit for Hospitals.
What else to know: Hospitals that aren’t yet members of the coalition supporting Prop 35 — which would make permanent an existing fee on managed care organizations that enables the state to draw on federal matching funds to improve Medi-Cal — can still join.
CHA Pushes Back on Misleading Information Shared at August OHCA Board Meeting
What’s happening: CHA has submitted a letter to the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA), setting the record straight on misleading, incomplete information shared during the OHCA board’s August meeting in Monterey.
What else to know: CHA’s letter also urges OHCA to renew its commitment to inclusivity and balance in the issues, perspectives, and information it explores in the future.
