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
Therapy Claims Processing Delayed
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced it will delay processing of current claims for physical, speech and occupational therapy for a limited period. The delay, which took effect Jan. 1, is the result of the expiration of several Medicare legislative provisions at the end of 2017, including the exceptions process for outpatient therapy caps. CMS further notes that if legislation on therapy caps is not enacted “in this short period of time,” it will proceed to release the claims for processing.
The current outpatient therapy cap is $2,010 per year for physical therapy and speech/language pathology combined, and $2,010 per year for occupational therapy. Absent the exceptions process, beneficiaries whose therapy exceeds these caps will be responsible for payment.
When the caps were implemented in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, most hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) were excluded. Subsequent legislation established the exceptions process and expanded the caps to include HOPDs. If Congress does not act to extend current law, most HOPDs will be exempt from the caps. However, legislation on this issue has been introduced in Congress and may result in re-establishing the caps for 2018. CHA will monitor this issue closely and share information with members as soon as it is available.
Hospital Compliance Seminar Speakers Set
CHA’s annual Hospital Compliance Seminar, to be held Feb. 6 in Pasadena and Feb. 21 in Sacramento, will feature a team of speakers from Hooper, Lundy & Bookman PC, including partners Patric Hooper and Lloyd Bookman.
The seminar will address recent changes in state and federal law and provide critical information to protect hospitals and staff. Fines have increased across the board, the California Department of Public Health has updated its privacy breach investigation process, and the federal government has increased its focus on sanctioning individuals for fraud and abuse violations. It is more important than ever that hospitals stay informed.
Attendees will receive a complimentary copy of CHA’s 2018 Hospital Compliance Manual, which covers all applicable California and federal laws. This hands-on program is a must-attend for all hospital compliance professionals. For more information and to register today, visit www.calhospital.org/hospital-compliance.
Medi-Cal Children’s Health Advisory Panel to Meet Jan. 31
The next Medi-Cal Children’s Health Advisory Panel meeting will be held Jan. 31 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Sacramento. The panel, which advises the Department of Health Care Services on policy and operational issues that affect children in Medi-Cal, is comprised of recognized stakeholders/experts in their fields, practicing or certified medical professionals, advocates who represent the interest of children’s health and parent members. Those unable to attend in person may join via conference call by dialing (888) 972-8923 and entering passcode 2475546. More information about the program, including meeting materials and a recap of the Nov. 1 meeting, is available online. Questions should be directed to MCHAP@dhcs.ca.gov.
FDA Extends Shelf Life of Certain Intravenous Products
Responding to hospitals’ concerns over the continuing shortage of certain intravenous solutions used in clinical care, the Food and Drug Administration yesterday announced that certain products manufactured by Baxter Healthcare Corporation may be used beyond their labeled expiration date. To help ensure patient safety, these products should continue to be stored as labeled. If replacement product becomes available during the extension period, hospitals are expected to replace and properly dispose of the products soon as possible. Health care professionals are instructed to squeeze the bags prior to use to verify they do not have leaks; if leaks are found, the bags should not be used.
Alcohol-Related Emergency Department Visits Increase by Nearly 50 Percent
A new study from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) finds that the rate of alcohol-related visits to U.S. emergency departments increased by nearly 50 percent between 2006 and 2014, especially among females and drinkers who are middle-aged or older. The research team assessed trends in emergency visits involving acute and chronic alcohol consumption among individuals 12 and older. The study classified visits by standard diagnostic codes for either alcohol misuse over a short period of time or conditions related to long-term drinking. The 47 percent increase in alcohol-related emergency department visits translates to an average annual increase of 210,000 visits, far outpacing other causes during the years studied. Data show that total annual costs of alcohol-related visits increased from $4.1 billion to $15.3 billion during this time.
The NIAAA also has released a tool to help locate local alcohol treatment programs, based on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s national database of outpatient, residential and inpatient treatment programs. To learn more about the programs and search the database by zip code, visit the NIAAA website.
Providers Should Be Aware of Leuconostoc Bacteremia Associated With Total Parenteral Nutrition
The California Department of Public Health has alerted providers that two cases of Leuconostoc bacteremia, associated with total parenteral nutrition, are being investigated in children in Illinois. California health care providers that identify a case of Leuconostoc bacteremia associated with total parenteral nutrition should contact the department’s Healthcare-Associated Infection Program at HAI@cdph.ca.gov. Basic information to report includes pharmacy/total parenteral nutrition supplier, lot numbers, dates of use, places of purchase, dates of purchase and home health agency, if applicable.
CHA Rural Healthcare Center Offers Representation, Collaboration
Recognizing that rural and critical access hospitals are unique in their communities and among their peers, CHA maintains an advisory board and policy center dedicated to the needs and challenges of members in rural areas. The CHA Rural Healthcare Center represents hospitals whose size and distance from population centers play a distinct role in the world of health care delivery. The center is governed by an advisory board that represents the rural perspective and helps set policy goals that best serve rural hospitals. Advocating for their interests in federal and state legislative and regulatory processes, the center makes its voice heard through the advisory board chair, who in turn serves as a member of the CHA Board of Trustees.
The Rural Healthcare Center is a valuable resource, an excellent source of information about current policy initiatives and a way for members to communicate the obstacles they’re facing. Whether looking at cuts through the federal sequester or changes to Medi-Cal reimbursement, creating a forum where rural members can collaborate ensures CHA’s leadership understands their needs.
For more information about the Rural Healthcare Center, contact Peggy Broussard Wheeler, vice president, rural health care and governance, at (916) 552-7689 or pwheeler@calhospital.org.
New Law Allows Hospice Providers to Offer Palliative Care to Patients Without Terminal Diagnosis
The California Department of Public Health has released All Facilities Letter 18-03, notifying providers that a new law established a pilot program that allows licensed hospice providers to provide palliative care to non-terminally but seriously ill patients. Under Senate Bill 294 (Chapter 31, Statutes of 2017), which took effect Jan. 1, providers must notify the department at least 45 days prior to providing palliative care under the pilot program, and must submit required information. At the end of the pilot period, the department will conduct a stakeholder meeting to discuss the results of the reported information and determine the effectiveness of including hospice providers as a means of expanding palliative care for seriously ill patients. More details, including notice and reporting requirements, are available in the attached letter.
Executive Order Seeks to Expand Mental Health Treatment for Veterans
Earlier this month, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at supporting veterans’ transition to civilian life. Specifically, the order directs the secretaries of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs to develop and submit, within 60 days, a joint action plan to provide transitioning service members “seamless” access to mental health treatment and suicide prevention resources in the year following military service. Within 180 days, the secretaries are required to update the President on the plan’s implementation and outline further reforms to increase veterans’ access to mental health services.
CMS to Host Webinar on Physical and Mental Health Integration Strategies
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will host a webinar about Medicaid strategies that promote provider capacity for physical and mental health integration on Feb. 6 at noon (PT).
The webinar will feature Dr. Ben Miller, a national expert in the field. Other speakers from Medicaid agencies in Hawaii and New Hampshire will provide an overview of key components, and discuss strategies and lessons learned. Registration is available online.
