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Articles by Lisa Geraty
Learn About Earthquake Early Warning System During Cal OES Webinar
What’s happening: The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) will host webinars on Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. (PT) and Oct. 8 at 3 p.m. (PT) so hospitals can learn more about the Earthquake Early Warning System. This content is restricted to members. Log in Register an Account
EMSA Relaunches Audit Tool
What’s happening: Amendments to Chapter 1.2 Delivering Equitable and Person-Centered Care - Ambulance Patient Offload Time were approved by the Office of Administrative Law and took effect on July 23. In addition, the audit tool was relaunched on Sept. 1. This content is restricted to members. Log in Register an Account
DHCS Publishes APLs on Several Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan Policies
What is happening: The Department of Health Care Services has published All Plan Letters (APLs) updating policies for Medi-Cal managed care plan (MCP) coverage of skilled nursing, subacute care, and intermediate care facility services. This content is restricted to members. Log in Register an Account
HCAI Updates Advisory Guide on Functional Program
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information has released an updated version of the Advisory Guide on Functional Program. This content is restricted to members. Log in Register an Account
CDPH Notifies SNFs of Poster Requirements
What's happening: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued All Facilities Letter AFL 26-14, which outlines requirements for posting information related to the State Long-Term Care (LTC) Ombudsman in skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs). This content is restricted to members. Log in Register an Account
New Documents Available on Rural Health Transformation Program
What’s happening: The Department of Healthcare Access and Information (HCAI) has released two documents — FAQs and briefing slides — on the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). This content is restricted to members. Log in Register an Account
Register for Webinars on IRF Review Choice Demonstration
What’s happening: Noridian will host three webinars for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRF) ahead of the May 1 implementation of the IRF Review Choice Demonstration. This content is restricted to members. Log in Register an Account
CHA Urges Two Key Changes in CY 2027 MA Proposed Rule
What’s happening: On Jan. 26, CHA submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the calendar year (CY) 2027 Medicare Advantage (MA) proposed rule. This content is restricted to members. Log in Register an Account
CMS to Host Jan. 28 Webinar on Hospital Quality Star Ratings Update
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid will hold a webinar on Jan. 28 at 11 a.m. (PT) to discuss the upcoming Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings refresh. What else to know: Hospitals can register for this interactive session, which will focus on the Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings methodology and the April 2026 results. This content is restricted to members. Log in Register an Account
CHA, Stakeholders Offer Support for CA's Transformation Program Application - California Hospital Association
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. This content is restricted to members. Log in Register an Account
Hospitals Must Register with AG to File Perinatal Bias Training Compliance Documents - California Hospital Association
What’s happening: In December, the attorney general's (AG's) office will distribute a survey assessing hospitals’ compliance with implicit bias training for perinatal care providers. This content is restricted to members. Log in Register an Account
HCAI Finds Increase in Alcohol-Related ED Visits
What’s happening: Alcohol-related emergency department (ED) visits and admissions have increased steadily over recent years, from roughly 603,000 in 2020 to more than 636,000 in 2023, according to recent findings from the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI). This content is restricted to members. Log in Register an Account
Court Finds CDPH Incorrectly Interpreted Breach Penalty Law, Upholds Win for Hospitals
What’s happening: On Sept. 23, the Third District Court of Appeal upheld a trial court’s ruling that the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) must prove a hospital’s or other health facility’s administrative, physical, or technological safeguards were inadequate before imposing a penalty — a decision with statewide implications for health privacy enforcement. This content is restricted to members. Log in Register an Account
Hospital Evacuation Guide for Pediatric Patients
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Labs Must Transition to Email for CLIA Notifications by March 2026
What’s happening: For laboratories to continue receiving Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) fee coupons and certificates, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that they must switch to email notifications starting March 1, 2026. What else to know: Beginning in March, paper fee coupons and certificates will no longer be issued.
New CDPH All Facilities Letters Provide Additional Guidance for General Acute Care, Psychiatric Hospitals
What’s happening: On Feb. 24, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released four new All Facilities Letters (AFLs) on laws that became effective Jan. 1 and affect general acute care and acute psychiatric hospitals, and other health care facilities. What else to know: For more information, visit the CDPH’s web page.
HCAI Hosts Webinar on Seismic Grant Program
What’s happening: On March 4, the Department of Health Care Access and Information’s (HCAI) Seismic Compliance Unit is hosting a webinar from 10 a.m. to noon (PT) on Assembly Bill (AB) 869 (2024). The webinar will cover seismic compliance, eligibility criteria for extensions beyond the 2030 deadline, and HCAI’s activities related to AB 869 implementation.
Toolkit and Informational Resource Released by the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) on AB 1204
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information’s (HCAI) new Hospital Equity Toolkit supports hospitals’ reporting of health equity-related data, as required under Assembly Bill (AB) 1204 (2021). What else to know: AB 1204 (2021) requires hospitals to submit annual reports for measures on patient access, quality, and outcomes by race, ethnicity, language, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and payer.
HCAI Issues Advisory Guide for Building, Remodeling Acute Psychiatric Facilities
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) recently released an advisory guide for new construction of acute psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric nursing units provided within general acute care hospitals, and special treatment programs within skilled-nursing facilities — and remodeling or alterations to existing structures of this kind.
Participant User Guide Assists Hospitals That Signed State’s Data Sharing Agreement
What’s happening: The Center for Data Insights and Innovation (CDII) has released a Participant User Guide for hospitals that have signed the California Data Exchange Framework’s (Dxf) Data Sharing Agreement. The guide explains the information exchange process of health and social services information and outlines how requests for information between Dxf participants — including admission, discharge, and transfer notifications — should occur.
HCAI Webinar to Cover Seismic Grant Program for Small and Rural Hospitals
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information’s (HCAI) Office of Facility Loan Insurance is conducting a webinar on Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon (PT) to discuss a seismic grant program for small, rural, and critical access hospitals. What else to know: The webinar will cover eligibility criteria, additions to the program due to Assembly Bill 869 (2024), and the application process. Registration is open.
HCAI Releases White Paper on Seismic Instrumentation
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information’s (HCAI) recent white paper covers how useful and beneficial it is for health care facilities to utilize seismic instrumentations, such as various sensors that measure accelerations and displacements.
CDPH Releases Updated Return to Work Guidance for Health Care Personnel with Respiratory Viral Infections
What’s happening: On Jan. 10, the California Department of Public Health released updated Interim Work Exclusion Guidance that details when health care personnel with COVID-19, influenza, and other acute respiratory viral infections may return to work. What else to know: The guidance, announced in an All Facilities Letter, applies regardless of whether diagnostic testing for viral pathogens is performed or the results of such testing is confirmed.
CHA Web Page Shares Federal, State Resources for Los Angeles Hospitals
What’s happening: CHA has established a web page with federal and state resources to help hospitals respond to the fires in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. What else to know: The web page provides the latest information on federal and state actions, which can help hospitals respond to the fires and continue to treat patients. Contact Trina Gonzalez, vice president, policy, at tgonzalez@calhospital.org with any questions about federal or state actions.
HCAI Releases Policy Intent, Code Application Notices
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) has released policy intent notices (PIN) on steel quality and quality control, and code application notices (CAN) for nurse stations and self-contained medication dispensing units (MDUs). What else to know: Issued by HCAI’s Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development, these new policies and code changes aim to streamline, outline, and clarify various aspects of hospital operations.
OSHPD to Host Webinar on Hospital Construction Review Process
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information’s (HCAI) Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD) is hosting a webinar to share updates about its review process for hospital construction projects. What else to know: The webinar is scheduled for Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. (PT) and is free. Registration is open.
New HCAI Advisory Guide Available on Design Document Preparation
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information’s (HCAI) Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD) recently released a new advisory guide for sitework under its jurisdiction. What else to know: The advisory guide includes tips on preparing design documents and provides examples, methods, and approaches that have been successfully used on various projects. Contact Trina Gonzalez, vice president, policy, with any questions.
HCAI Issues Updated Building Code Application Notice
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information’s (HCAI) Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD) recently revised the Code Application Notice (CAN 2-0) OSHPD Jurisdiction. What else to know: CAN 2-0 explains how OSHPD is designated as the enforcing agency for hospital buildings and skilled-nursing facilities, and identifies the local building department as the enforcing agency for clinics and certain chemical dependency recovery hospitals.
CDPH Title 22 Draft Regulations Out for Public Comment
What’s happening: The comment period is now open for draft regulations released by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on clinical laboratory, pharmaceutical, and dietetic services in general acute care hospitals. What else to know: Comments are due to CDPH on Sept. 12. CDPH’s proposal is intended to revise outdated language and obsolete citations, update existing regulations to adopt current industry standards, and establish processes to improve health and safety measures.
Hospitals Can Now Apply for Funds to Treat Patients with Behavioral Health Needs
What’s happening: Following the March 2024 passage of CHA-supported Proposition 1, applications are now open for $4.4 billion in new Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) funding to support capital projects that expand the behavioral health services continuum. What else to know: Hospitals can start the application process now for the first round of grants. Required pre-application consultation must be requested by Oct. 15 and applications are due by Dec. 13.
CMS Final Rule Released for Hospital Sprinkler Systems
What’s happening: In 2014,the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) adopted a final rule to update fire safety standards for hospitals, critical access hospitals, long-term care facilities, ambulatory surgery centers, and other health care facilities. What else to know: The final rule is available in the Federal Register.
Hospital Equity Measures Reporting - Draft Regulations Comment Period Open
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) released to implement Assembly Bill (AB) 1204 (2021), which requires hospitals to submit annual reports for measures on patient access, quality, and outcomes by race, ethnicity, language, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and payer.
Hospitals Eligible to Receive Free Naloxone from DHCS
What’s happening: In 2018, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) established the Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP) to distribute naloxone — also referred to as “Narcan” — and fentanyl testing strips to key stakeholders free of charge. What else to know: Hospital emergency departments are among those who can apply online to receive free naloxone and testing strips. Since the program’s inception, hospitals have received 332,000 naloxone testing kits and 188,000 fentanyl testing kits.
CHA-Sponsored SB 1432 Clears Assembly Health Committee
What’s happening: After much discussion, Assembly Health Committee members supported seismic standards Senate Bill (SB) 1432 (Caballero, D-Merced) by a 14-0 vote on Tuesday. What else to know: CHA-sponsored SB 1432 will be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee in August. Health committee members continued to voice concern regarding the safety of buildings and the chaos created when staff and patient evacuation will likely happen after an earthquake.
Hearing Set for CHA-Sponsored Seismic Relief Bill
What’s happening: CHA’s sponsored legislation that would provide relief from California’s 2030 seismic construction mandates passed the Senate Health Committee last week on an 11-0 vote. Senate Bill (SB) 1432 is now set for a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on May 6. What else to know: The chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee is the primary author of the bill, Sen. Anna Caballero (D-Merced). Key amendments were made to the initial proposal.
CHA Translates HCAI-required Taglines
What’s happening: Regulations recently adopted by the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) under the Hospital Fair Pricing Policies Law require hospitals to provide “taglines” on patient documents in several different languages. What else to know: The taglines inform patients that language assistance services are available and how to access them. CHA has included a tagline sheet with translations in 18 languages.
CHA Unveils Appellate Advocacy Tracker
What’s happening: CHA has released an appellate advocacy tracker that reports CHA’s amicus efforts to provide courts with important factual context and legal analysis,, highlighting the ramifications of legal issues for hospitals. What else to know: The tracker contains both the links to the amicus documents that CHA files and the outcome of these efforts.
CHA Sponsors Legislation to Address the 2030 Seismic Standards
What’s happening: CHA is sponsoring legislation to address the 2030 seismic standards and supports Assembly Bill (AB) 869 (Wood, D-Healdsburg), which provides seismic relief for rural and district hospitals. What else to know: A bipartisan group of Senators is jointly authoring CHA’s sponsored legislation. CHA has taken a significant step in the effort to address the 2030 seismic standards.
Medicare Coverage for Behavioral Health Expanded
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced that Medicare will cover visits with mental health counselors, addiction counselors, and marriage and family therapists, effective since Jan. 1. What else to know: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will conduct both routine and focused program audits of Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations in 2024 to assess compliance with new requirements.
CDII Launches DSA Signing Portal Participant Directory
What’s happening: On Jan. 31,California health care organizations were required to begin sharing electronic health records under the California Data Exchange Framework (DxF). What else to know: The Center for Data Insights and Innovation (CDII) launched the participant directory in the Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) Signing Portal last week. All participants are required to enter their information via the DSA Signing Portal. On Jan.
Hospital Data Sharing Portal Now Open
What’s happening: On Jan. 31,California health care organizations were required to begin sharing electronic health records under the California Data Exchange Framework (DxF). What else to know: The Center for Data Insights and Innovation (CDII) launched the participant directory in the Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) Signing Portal last week. All participants are required to enter their information via the DSA Signing Portal. On Jan.
California Health Information Exchange Deadline Looms
What’s happening: Assembly Bill 133 outlined the requirement for health care providers, plans, and other entities to exchange health information in real time for treatment, payment, or health care operations. What else to know: On Jan. 18, 2023, the California Health and Human Services Agency’s (CalHHS) Center for Data Insights and Innovation (CDII) released two new policies and procedures to facilitate compliance to the Data Exchange Framework (DxF). On or before Jan.
HCAI Opens Hospital Charity Care Portal
What’s happening: Hospitals must register as soon as possible for the Department of Health Care Access and Information’s (HCAI) online policy submission portal, which opened on Jan. 1. What else to know: Hospitals must also submit their policies and applications that comply with the new regulations to HCAI, effective Jan. 1. HCAI is authorized to levy penalties of $500 per day for late submissions.
CHA Files Amicus Brief Challenging HHS Online Tracking Rule
What’s happening: CHA has filed an amicus brief (friend of the court brief) with 16 other hospital associations in a lawsuit challenging a rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights. What else to know: The rule restricts the use of common third-party web technologies that capture internet protocol addresses on portions of hospitals’ public-facing web pages.
Data Exchange Framework Resources Available on CHA Website
What’s happening: Assembly Bill 133 outlined the requirement for health care providers, plans, and other entities to exchange health information in real time for treatment, payment, or health care operations.
CDPH Launches New Opioid Resource Website and Awards Opioid Prevention Grants
What’s happening: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) launched a one-stop-shop website with the latest information on the opioid epidemic and the state’s effort to address it. What else to know: The website is part of Governor Newsom’s attempt to connect people with resources and treatments.
Requirements Expanded for Hospital Supplier Diversity Program
What’s Happening: Assembly Bill (AB) 1392 expands the existing requirements for the Hospital Supplier Diversity Program for 2025. What Else to Know: Beginning with the July 2025 report, hospitals must include their plans for increasing procurement from diverse suppliers, contact information for interested businesses, and descriptions of the procurement processes.
Children's Behavioral Health Services Lack Timely Access
What’s Happening: The California State Auditor recently investigated children’s access to Medi-Cal-covered behavioral health services. What else to know: The auditor concluded that many Medi-Cal health plans were out of compliance with state requirements for timely care and that DHCS is underutilizing punitive measures (disciplinary action) on health plans. The Auditor found: Children must wait 13 days (despite the state’s standard of 10 days) for a standard outpatient appointment.
CHA Shares Information for Hospitals on Winter Surge Program Flexibility
What’s Happening: Hospitals are preparing for patient surges due to the increase of respiratory infections this winter and may need to request flexibility from licensing regulations. What Else to Know: There are important things for hospitals to keep in mind when sending program flexibility applications to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). In 2022, CDPH centralized all state licensing and federal certification application processes with the Centralized Applications Branch (CAB).
New Requirements for Hospital Supplier Diversity Reporting Coming in 2025
What’s happening: Assembly Bill (AB) 1392 (2023) expands the Hospital Supplier Diversity program by requiring additional reporting information for hospitals, effective July 1, 2025. What else to know: A fact sheet from the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) outlines the statutory changes and time frames for program implementation.
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