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Healthcare developments · Oct 18, 2026

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Billing & paymentMedicare & MedicaidNew in this edition

DHCS seeks feedback on draft removal of mandatory PSC-35 assessment and reporting

DHCS’s October 15 draft proposes ending mandatory PSC-35 administration and corresponding FAST submissions, while preserving assessment-tool choices. Feedback is requested by November 3. The file retains draft markings, notice-number inconsistencies and an unspecified effective date, so current workflows should not be stopped on this evidence.

Medium priority · Oct 18, 2026 editionRead story →

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Governance & business operationsCompliance SweepNew in this edition

OHCA labor-cost adjustment process takes effect; 2026 requests are due November 16

OHCA’s labor-cost adjustment process took effect October 12. Eligible requestors must support projected nonsupervisory organized labor costs under the adopted specifications; 2026 requests are due November 16. Submitted material, including labor agreements, is public by default unless OHCA accepts confidentiality.

Medium priority · Oct 18, 2026 editionRead story →

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Provider operationsMedicare & MedicaidNew in this edition

Treasury proposes phased premium tax credit eligibility changes

The October 15 Treasury proposal addresses premium tax credit verification, eligibility and reconciliation across different effective periods. Its Medicaid community-engagement provision has a narrow sole-basis condition and timing exceptions. Comments are due November 30; the December 8 hearing depends on submitted outlines.

Medium priority · Oct 18, 2026 editionRead story →

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Patient care & rightsCompliance SweepNew in this edition

Dental Board proposes broader infection-control plans, training and sterilization checks

California's Dental Board proposes annual infection-control plan review, employer-provided training, package-level sterilization indicators, waterline testing and respiratory-hygiene measures. Written comments are due November 30. The proposal would revise the existing dental standard; it does not establish a new implementation date.

Medium priority · Oct 18, 2026 editionRead story →

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Governance & business operationsCompliance SweepNew in this edition

Cal/OSHA proposes per-employee and multi-worksite penalty procedures

Cal/OSHA proposes regulatory procedures for existing SB 606 egregious and enterprise-wide violation categories, including penalties tied to exposed employees or covered worksites. The package also changes history, posting and abatement provisions. Written comments are due November 30, with further submission permitted at the December 3 hearing.

Medium priority · Oct 18, 2026 editionRead story →

More leading stories

Governance & business operationsCompliance SweepNew in this edition

CRD proposes changes to pregnancy accommodations, certification and bonding leave

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Governance & business operationsCompliance SweepNew in this edition

FDA launches rare-disease framework initiative and schedules public input

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Governance & business operationsCompliance SweepNew in this edition

EPA extends hazardous-substance response-plan compliance dates

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Medicare Advantage & Part DMedicare & MedicaidNew in this edition

CMS proposes phased Part D PBM and MA directory implementation

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Provider operationsMedicare & MedicaidNew in this edition

DHCS posts Phase II IP-CANS alignment timetable; notice version needs confirmation

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Billing & paymentMedicare & MedicaidNew in this edition

Medi-Cal sets February 2027 attending and referring NPI requirements for LTC claims

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Medi-Cal & Medicaid policyMedicare & MedicaidNew in this edition

Medi-Cal phases DME and clinical-lab ordering NPI requirements into February and May 2027

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Governance & business operationsCompliance SweepNew in this edition

EPA moves the 2025 greenhouse-gas reporting deadline to March 10

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Provider operationsMedicare & MedicaidNew in this edition

CMS restores nursing-home complaint investigation and reporting instructions

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Consumer & business misconductEnforcement BriefingNew in this edition

Psychiatrist receives prison sentence for signing unsupported DME orders

Medium priority · Oct 18, 2026 editionRead story →

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Coverage note

Limited coverage: Compliance Sweep, Enforcement Briefing, Medicare & Medicaid

Coverage limitation for 2026-10-11 through 2026-10-17: California regulator source review (https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR26-NewsReleases.aspx): Actual complete 2026 News MainContent index read at 2026-10-20T08:59:13.710Z at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/News-Releases-2026.aspx. The latest displayed release is September 18 and Page Last Updated is September 23, 2026. No October 11-17 row is displayed, but authoritative coverage through the required week is unproved. A complete read of this stale page does not establish complete current-week discovery or zero activity. Preserve the original NR26-NewsReleases.aspx failure and exact alternative URL. Missing requirement: an authoritative adequately current dated result/archive or supported limitation for October 11-17. No failed new request is invented. DHCS audit and program-integrity publications (https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/individuals/audits-and-investigations-auditsinvestigations/): Earlier actual mission/navigation and program-integrity material remain retained, without a dated October11-17 result inventory. Exact original source response at 2026-10-21T20:22:11.637Z is HTTP200, complete945-byte Incapsula unsuccessful-request iframe, not audit results. A new official alternative Medical Audits index request also returned a212-byte shell. A supported web reader exposes report-year rows, but report year, file metadata and audit period do not establish posting within October11-17. Preserve the dated publication/query hold and original observations; no zero activity, new human request or source completion is inferred. DHCS audit and investigation actions (https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/individuals/audits-and-investigations-auditsinvestigations/): Earlier actual mission/navigation and program-integrity material remain retained, without a dated October11-17 result inventory. Exact original source response at 2026-10-21T20:22:11.637Z is HTTP200, complete945-byte Incapsula unsuccessful-request iframe, not audit results. A new official alternative Medical Audits index request also returned a212-byte shell. A supported web reader exposes report-year rows, but report year, file metadata and audit period do not establish posting within October11-17. Preserve the dated publication/query hold and original observations; no zero activity, new human request or source completion is inferred. This edition contains supported selected findings; it does not establish complete activity for the named missing authorities or unresolved candidates.