× The federal government has shut down due to the failures of the President and Congress to continue government funding. Millions of Californians receiving benefits from state programs may be impacted. For now, California’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will continue to provide services and enroll eligible families as long as funding is available. No new federal funding to California WIC will be provided until the President and Congress take action. Families should continue to use their WIC benefits and attend their WIC appointments. This information is subject to change, so please monitor the California WIC website for updates.

Please be wary of potential highly partisan political messaging while visiting federal government websites for information related to the federal government shutdown.

Skip Navigation LinksAFL-08-35

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EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor

Health and Human Services Agency
California Department of Public Health


AFL 08-35
November 18, 2008


TO:
Skilled Nursing Facilities
Home Health Agencies
Swing Bed Hospitals

SUBJECT:
Broadband Transmission



The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has determined that assessment data and reports can be securely transmitted over broadband lines.

The connection problem between the Medicare Data Communication Network (MDCN) and the providers’ Network Address Translation (NAT) has been resolved. There will be instructions for the providers to resolve this connectivity issue posted at www.qtso.com/mdcn.html on or around November 21, 2008.

Currently, CMS has not set a date when the dialup connection will be cut-off, but it will be "in the very near future." Once this cut-off date is implemented, providers can no longer transmit their assessment data via the dialup connection.

Federal regulations require assessment data transmission at least every 30 calendar days. To avoid late transmissions, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) strongly recommends changing your method of transmission to broadband as soon as possible.

You may contact the MDCN Help Desk for technical support at (800) 905-2069. You may also contact CDPH at (916) 324-2362.

 

Sincerely,

Original Signed by Kathleen Billingsley, R.N.

Kathleen Billingsley, R.N.
Deputy Director

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