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CMS Finalizes Medicare Advantage and Part D Policies for Contract Year 2021

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a final rule updating Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D programs for contract year 2021. In addition to policy changes, the final rule codifies longstanding policies on the MA and Part D programs that have been previously adopted through sub-regulatory guidance, such as the annual Call Letter and other guidance documents.

HHS Extends Deadline Related to COVID-19 Funding by 45 Days

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a 45-day deadline extension for providers who are receiving payments from the Provider Relief Fund (CARES Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act) to accept the terms and conditions.

Department of Fair Employment and Housing Offers Free Anti-Sexual Harassment Training

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The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) has finalized its free anti-sexual harassment training for non-supervisory employees. The online training can be used to meet the requirement that, by Jan. 1, 2021, employers with five or more employees must provide at least one hour of classroom or other effective interactive training and education regarding sexual harassment prevention to all non-supervisory employees in California.

Updates for the Week of May 25

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the following updates this week:

Prior Authorization Process and Requirements for Certain Outpatient Hospital Department Services Special Open Door Forum — May 28
Hospice Quality Reporting Program: Quarterly Update for January – March
Nursing Home Quality Initiative: Updated MDS 3.0 Item Sets

CEO Message: Budget Proposal Is Another Blow Hospitals Can’t Take

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Now is the time to call your state assemblymember and senator to tell them the following:

Hospitals need financial relief now.
Reject the Governor’s budget proposal that would cut managed care payments to hospitals for inpatient care.

Embedded in the state’s latest budget proposal, as the administration looks to make up for the massive losses to state coffers driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, is a recommendation that would upend the way Medi-Cal managed care plans are paid.

Protecting Your Mental Health During COVID-19

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In light of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, and the fact that we are all doing our best to social distance from friends and family, California Volunteers and California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris share these tips for protecting your mental health.

VolunteerTalk: Insurance for Your Volunteer Programs

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The CAHHS Volunteer Services Office received the following inquiry from Patricia Dooley, Director, Volunteer Services at Cottage Health in Santa Barbara, California:

Submitted May 21, 2020

As we navigate reintroducing volunteers within the hospital setting we’re reviewing our volunteer insurance policy and would appreciate your feedback related to your hospital insurance.

Does your hospitals workers compensation insurance include coverage for your hospital volunteer program? 

If no, does your volunteer program have a separate insurance policy?

Does your workers compensation and/or volunteer program insurance include virus coverage, including COVID-19?
Please share any liability waiver forms for your volunteer program.

Thank you!

Patricia Dooley, CAVS
Director, Volunteer Services
Cottage Health | Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital
(805) 319-1789
pdooley@sbch.org

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Layoffs, Furloughs, Pay Cuts Spike as Hospitals Report Record Losses from COVID-19 Crisis – $1 Billion Financial Lifeline Needed Now

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Layoffs, Furloughs, Pay Cuts Spike as Hospitals Report Record Losses from COVID-19 Crisis – $1 Billion Financial Lifeline Needed Now

WHEN:       Friday, May 22, 2020

9:30 a.m. – Point-in-time hospital workforce impact information released to media

10:00 a.m. – Teleconference

WHERE:    Operator-Assisted Conference Call

Dial-in:  1-800-357-0498

Conference ID:  34752                                       

*CREDENTIALED MEDIA ONLY

WHAT:       Point-in-time data on the impact that the pandemic is having on various hospitals throughout the state will be released — with information on layoffs, furloughs, pay cuts, and other COVID-19-related consequences — illustrating the devastating impact of this unprecedented crisis on California’s hospital workforce.

WHO:          Carmela Coyle, President & CEO, California Hospital Association

WHY:          As California’s Legislature heads into the Memorial Day weekend, some of the most important state budget decisions in years will be on the table. While lawmakers debate the state’s fiscal priorities, mounting financial losses driven by the COVID-19 pandemic are already leading to widespread layoffs, furloughs, and salary cuts.

CMS Confirms Continuing ‘Enforcement Discretion’ and Limited Survey Activity

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CHA has confirmed that the general enforcement discretion announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on March 23 has been extended indefinitely. It applies to hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, hospices, and laboratories. No surveys will be conducted, with a few exceptions.