Effective Jan. 1, 2008, hospitals are required to submit charity care and discount payment policies bi-annually to the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) using OSHPD’s online system. Hospitals have had to comply with new fair pricing policies since Jan. 1, 2007, as required by AB 774.

CHA’s handbook, Hospital Charity Care & Discount Payment Policies, can assist hospitals with creating a process for redeveloping business practices consistent with current, common interpretations of the hospital fair pricing policies, including the new OSHPD reporting regulations.

Community Benefits
In exchange for their tax-exempt status, private not-for-profit hospitals in California are required to conduct a community needs assessment every three years; develop a community benefit plan in consultation with the community; and annually submit a copy of its plan to OSHPD.