Medi-Cal Treatment Authorization Request System to Be Updated
What’s happening: From Nov. 15- 18, the Medi-Cal Treatment Authorization Request (TAR) system will be unavailable as it is migrated to a new platform.
Articles
CMS Finalizes CY 2026 Payment Policies for Physicians
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the calendar year (CY) 2026 physician fee schedule final rule.
CHA Highlights Implications for Hospitals in 2025 Report on State Legislation
What’s happening: This week, CHA distributed the 2025 Report on State Legislation, designed to help hospitals navigate the many health care-related bills the governor has signed into law.
State Submits Application for Funding to Support Rural Health Transformation
This week, the state submitted its application for California’s share of $50 billion in funding available through the new federal Rural Health Transformation Program.
CHA Comments on Regulations Limiting LVN-Provided Respiratory Care
What’s happening: Last week, CHA submitted comments to the Respiratory Care Board of California (RCB) expressing concerns about new regulations that restrict the tasks licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) may perform, therefore limiting hospitals’ and other care providers’ ability to meet their patients’ needs.
DHCS Updates Grievance and Appeals Requirements Information
What’s happening: The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has republished the State Hearing Form to include a few technical changes to All Plan Letter 21-011, which addresses grievance and appeal requirements for Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans.
CHA, Stakeholders Offer Support for CA’s Transformation Program Application
What’s happening: Ahead of the state’s submission of its Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) application, CHA and seven other advocacy organizations wrote a letter of support urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to approve California’s application.
CHA Urges Congress to Retroactively Delay Medicaid DSH Payment Reductions
What’s happening: CHA joined California’s public, private, and community safety-net hospitals in urging Congress to retroactively delay the Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment cuts that went into effect on Oct. 1.
OHCA Board Continues Enforcement Discussion, Fails to Clarify Process
What’s happening: The Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) board convened on Oct. 28 and continued the spending target enforcement discussion that began in July. The meeting focused on waivers from enforcement and the first two steps of the enforcement process (technical assistance and public testimony).
Hospitals Should Prepare for Major NHSN Data Rebaselining
What’s happening: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) has officially rebaselined standardized infection ratios (SIRs) from the 2015 national baseline to a 2022 baseline.