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
Office of Inspector General to Examine Medicare Advantage Use of Prior Authorization for Post-Acute Care
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: The U.S. Health and Human Services Agency has announced that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) will investigate the use of prior authorization for post-acute care services by Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. What else to know: CHA members have reported that they encounter significant challenges in obtaining authorizations from MA plans for access to...
DMHC Provides Additional Guidance Regarding Post-Stabilization Care Requests
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: The Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) has issued All Plan Letter (APL) 24-012, which reminds plans that they may not require a hospital to make more than one telephone call to request authorization to provide post-stabilization care to plan members. What else to know: The APL reiterates the requirements of Health &...
Creators of the Vitality Index Payer Scorecard Announce Partnership with HFMA
What’s happening: Hyve Health, the creator of the CHA-endorsed Vitality Index Payer Scorecard, has entered into a national partnership on payer accountability with the Healthcare Financial Management Association. What else to know: CHA continues to encourage members to enroll in the scorecard tool, which will provide critical information to support CHA’s advocacy to hold insurers...
Congress Reintroduces Legislation to Streamline Prior Authorization
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: Congressional leaders have reintroduced bipartisan legislation to address concerns regarding prior authorization (PA) and timely access to care for beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. What else to know: The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act would establish an electronic PA standard, reduce the amount of time a health plan is allowed to consider...
CMS Issues Guidance on New Staffing Requirements
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued updated guidance to state survey agencies and providers regarding facility assessment requirements for long-term care facilities. What else to know: The revised guidance updates the survey and assessment process as implemented under the Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional...
HQI Releases CHPSO Annual Report
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: The Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) has released its CHPSO Annual Report, an overview of the most significant work done on behalf of hospitals in 2023. What else to know: HQI is dedicated to improving the quality and safety of patient care in hospitals and health care systems and oversees the Collaborative Health Care Patient...
Reminder: Supplier Diversity Reports Due July 1
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: The deadline to submit annual supplier diversity reports to the Department of Health Care Access and Information is July 1.
What else to know: If you are unable to submit on time, you can request a 30-day extension. A penalty of $100 per day is charged for each day the report is late.
Letters to OHCA Board Highlight New Data, Caution Against Overly Broad Review Process
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: Last week, CHA submitted two letters to the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) — one responding to the May OHCA board meeting, and another addressing the office’s proposed changes to the cost and market impact review (CMIR) regulations. What else to know: The board met June 26 to approve the alternative payment...
Seismic Extension Advances; Budget Deficit Forces Shift on Critical Access Hospitals
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
CHA’s efforts to secure an extension for California’s 2030 seismic mandate took another critical step forward on Tuesday, with the association’s sponsored bill (Senate Bill 1432) passing the Assembly Health Committee with a few minor, technical amendments on a 14-0 vote.
ONC Finalizes Financial Penalties for Information Blocking
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) issued a final rule on provider disincentives for information blocking.
What else to know: CHA is disappointed in the finalized policies and remains concerned about the selective application of penalties to certain health care providers, as previously outlined in comments.
