Transition Continues to Blue Shield Vaccinator Network As previously announced, the state of California has contracted with Blue Shield of California to create a statewide network of COVID-19 vaccine providers. A hospital, clinic, pharmacy, or other entity that wishes to administer COVID-19 vaccines after March 31 must sign an agreement with Blue Shield. The contract, which...
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued all facilities letter (AFL) 20-32.2, which provides updated information regarding regulatory enforcement of specified skilled nursing facility (SNF) requirements during the current public health emergency. Specifically, the AFL extends the existing waiver for change of service, space use, increase in capacity until June 1, 2021, and rescinds all temporary COVID-19 staffing waivers, effective March 1, 2021.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has developed a web-based training program for the standardized patient assessment data elements related to falls.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued all facilities letter (AFL) 20-32.2, which provides updated information regarding regulatory enforcement of specified skilled nursing facility (SNF) requirements during the current public health emergency. Specifically, the AFL extends the existing waiver for change of service, space use, increase in capacity until June 1, 2021, and rescinds all temporary COVID-19 staffing waivers, effective March 1, 2021.
On Feb. 27, the House of Representatives passed a modified version of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319), a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package that focuses on vaccines, testing, and public health, while also providing assistance to individuals and families, among other provisions. The Senate will consider the bill this week and is expected to further modify the legislation.
On March 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (PT), the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) will hold the first meeting of its Hospital Diversity Commission, which is comprised of representatives from health care, procurement, and other stakeholders.
Originally recorded on March 24, 2021
Recording
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On Feb. 26, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury updated guidance related to COVID-19 testing. The clarifications should improve access to no-cost-sharing COVID-19 testing for both the insured and uninsured. However, it stops short of requiring health plan coverage of COVID-19 testing for public health surveillance.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Feb. 26 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, after increasing for 13 years, the U.S. suicide rate dropped overall by 2% between 2018 and 2019. But the report cautioned those figures do not account for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
CHA will host a webinar with Hooper, Lundy, & Bookman, PC, on March 3 from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. (PT) to review the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) requirements for 340B self-audit of fee-for-service claims data, and to discuss developments to date. DHCS announced in July it would send letters to every 340B provider/covered entity demanding they conduct a self-audit.
