It is hard to believe, but Spring is only a few weeks away. The changing of the seasons is a fantastic reason to make some positive changes and to have your voices heard. A great way to have your voices heard and make a difference is to get involved. CAHSAH offers several opportunities to get... Continue Reading
Question: During the phase-in for the transition to mandatory OASIS data collection and submission for all patients regardless of payer, will we be able to submit just the voluntary Start of Care (SOC) OASIS for a patient with a M0090 date between January 1, 2025, and June 30th, 2025? Or would we... Continue Reading
As this message comes to you, the State Legislature’s bill introduction deadline has just passed with hundreds of legislative proposals introduced on the last day of the introduction period which ran from December 3, 2024 to February 21, 2025. During that period, a total of 2,350 bills were... Continue Reading
New Caregiver Training Reimbursement The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has implemented two new codes, 97550 and 97551 for caregiver training of an individual patient to facilitate the patient’s functional performance in their home and community relating to Activities of Daily... Continue Reading
CMS Suspends Hospice Special Focus Program As of February 14, 2025, the Trump Administration has suspended the implementation of the Hospice Special Focus Program (SFP) for the 2025 calendar year. This decision allows CMS to further evaluate the program’s effectiveness and methodology. The... Continue Reading
CDPH Extends Hospice Moratorium and Emergency Regulations Deadline The Department of Public Health has released AFL 25-04 Assembly Bill (AB) 177 – Extension of Hospice Licensure Moratorium. This AFL notifies hospice agencies of the chaptering of AB 177 (Chapter 999, Statutes of 2024) that... Continue Reading
CMS Reporting Exception Granted Due to California Wildfires and Straight-line Winds The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is granting exceptions1 under certain Medicare quality reporting and value-based purchasing programs to providers and facilities located in areas affected by... Continue Reading
Tax Audits Feedback Needed CAHSAH is seeking information from hospice agencies about whether they have experienced a state tax audit on the pharmaceuticals they purchase. We are interested in hearing from any providers who are currently undergoing or have already been through this type of audit.... Continue Reading
By Elizabeth E. Hogue, Esq. In Olmstead v. L.C., the U.S. Supreme Court decided that unjustified segregation of disabled persons constitutes discrimination in violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Court said that public entities must provide community-based... Continue Reading
As we all bear witness to the devastating fires that continue to ravage our state, we are reminded just how quickly an emergency can erupt and put our agencies into full scale execution of our emergency plan. Ensuring effective emergency preparedness is paramount to safeguard the well-being of... Continue Reading
Bill Number Description Location H.R. 71 Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5] Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to improve the ability of veterans to access medical care in medical facilities of the Department of Veterans... Continue Reading
The California State Legislature has adjourned the 2023-2024 Legislative Session. A complete list of the new laws enacted is in the Annual New Laws Report. The 2025-2026 Legislative Session will resume on December 2, 2024. CAHSAH’s Policy, Advocacy and Public Affairs Committee will... Continue Reading
