Program Updates
Public Reporting
HCAI produces various data products and analytic reports using HPD data to support the goals of the program. The recently updated Data Brief: Payment Arrangements in California’s Commercial and Medicare Advantage Markets offers an overview of payment arrangements in California’s commercial and Medicare Advantage markets in three categories of medical services: inpatient facility, outpatient facility, and professional. Two views of this information for 2023 are provided: an overall view that includes data from all plans and a separate view that omits data from Kaiser Permanente, which manages its own integrated delivery system and accounted for about half of 2023 utilization in these markets.
Data Access and Release
The Data Release Program allows researchers, state agencies, and other qualified applicants to request access to non-public HPD data. To apply for HPD datasets, register for an account through HCAI’s Data Request Portal and follow instructions for submitting a detailed application, including a description of your research, data needs, and privacy measures.
As of March 18, 2026, there are 38 pending HPD data requests at various stages of review, including requests from universities, public agencies, research organizations, and other entities. During the same period, 11 requests have been completed and fulfilled, providing data access to organizations such as SEIU-UHW, RAND, and the California Hospital Association. Additionally, several requests have been withdrawn or closed, reflecting the dynamic nature of the application process. For more details and the latest updates, visit the List of Pending and Competed HPD Application Updates page on the HCAI website.
Data Collection Program Regulations
The final rulemaking action for the HPD Data Collection regulations was approved by the Office of Administrative Law, and the regulations are in effect as of March 4, 2026. The final rulemaking action adopts regulations to update and clarify specific regulation sections and associated documents incorporated by reference. The California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 7, Chapter 11, Articles 1 to 7 have also been updated. The Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action can be found on the HPD Laws & Regulations webpage.
The following associated documents are now available on the HPD Resources webpage.
Visit the HCAI Laws & Regulations to review all program regulations.
Non-Claims Payment (NCP) Data Collection Key Dates
NCP submissions include the Annual Payments, Pharmacy Rebates, and Capitation files. Below are key dates for submitting production NCP data files:
- By June 30, 2026, plans and submitters are required to complete testing for NCP files.
- Historical annual payment files and pharmacy rebate files for the period from June 29, 2017, through December 31, 2024, are due on July 31, 2026.
- Capitation files for the period from June 29, 2017, through July 31, 2026, are due on September 1, 2026.
- Initiation of ongoing annual payment and pharmacy rebate files will begin on September 30, 2026, starting with calendar year 2025 files.
- Initiation of ongoing monthly capitation files will begin on October 1, 2026, starting with August 2026 reporting month file.
Visit HPD Resources for more information.
Pharmacy Benefit Manager Data Collection
Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are intermediaries between health plans, pharmacies, and pharmaceutical manufacturers and are responsible for administering prescription drug benefits on behalf of health plans. Their central role in the complex prescription drug market makes it difficult to understand the total cost of prescription drugs along the pharmaceutical supply chain.
The 2025 State Budget Health Omnibus Bill (Assembly Bill 116) requires HCAI to collect cost data from PBMs, adding to the data and information available in the HPD for use by policymakers, researchers, and the public about the prescription drug marketplace in California. HCAI intends to collect data from PBMs on drug pricing, fees paid for PBM services, and pharmacy rebates. PBM data collection is anticipated to begin in 2028. Read the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Fact Sheet for more information.
HCAI expects to begin regulations workshopping shortly. Below is the PBM data collection implementation timeline.
Stakeholder Engagement
HPD Program Advisory Committee
The HPD Program Advisory Committee is comprised of health care stakeholders and experts to assist and advise the HCAI Director in formulating program policies about data collection, data management, data use, data access, and the development of public information to meet the goals of the HPD Program. The HPD Program Advisory Committee convenes quarterly.
The next Advisory Committee meeting will be held on April 23, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The April meeting will be held in a hybrid format where committee members and members of the public can attend in person at the Sacramento office or online via Microsoft Teams. The meeting will focus on data access and release and lessons learned. The agenda and meeting materials will be posted on the HPD Program Advisory Committee webpage prior to the meeting.
Visit the Advisory Committee Meetings Archive for past meeting materials.
HPD Data Release Committee
The HPD Data Release Committee (DRC) is integral to supporting the implementation and administration of the HPD Program and advises HCAI on the release of HPD data. The HPD DRC has monthly meetings scheduled, but they convene only when needed, such as when there are data requests that trigger a mandatory review. To date, no data requests triggering DRC review have reached that step in the process, though several are likely to in the coming months. Cancellations will be communicated to stakeholders at least two weeks before the scheduled date.
The next HPD DRC meeting is scheduled for May 20, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. At this time, HCAI is thoroughly evaluating applications for completeness and alignment with all statutory, regulatory, and other requirements before referring requests to the DRC.
The meeting will be held in a hybrid format where committee members attend in person at HCAI’s offices in Sacramento or Los Angeles. Members of the public can join either in person or online via Microsoft Teams. Meeting topics will include a review of data use requests requiring the DRC’s recommendation for approval. The agenda and all other meeting materials will be posted on the HPD DRC webpage before the meeting.
Visit the DRC Meetings Archive for past meeting materials.
HPD Submitter Group
The HPD Submitter Group Meetings provide a forum for submitters to receive the latest information on submission requirements, troubleshoot data submissions, and address other technical issues related to data submission. Meetings are held to support entities required to submit or are supporting the submission of data to the HPD System. The HPD Submitter Group Meeting convenes quarterly.
The next HPD Submitter Group Meeting will be on April 9, 2026. Register to attend the virtual meeting. Anticipated meeting topics include key program updates, Non-Claims Payment testing and resources, Onpoint Health Data continue the knowledge transfer with payment review, and APCD-CDL v4.0.1 regulations adoption. The agenda and meeting materials will be posted on the HPD Program Submitters webpage prior to the meeting.
Visit the HPD Submitter Group Meetings Archive for past meeting materials.
About the HPD Program
Assembly Bill 80 (Chapter 12, Statutes of 2020) provides HCAI the authority to establish the HPD Program. The HPD System is California’s All-Payer Claims Database, or APCD, and is intended to support greater health care cost transparency, inform policy decisions supporting quality health care, and reduce health care costs and disparities.
Watch the video below to learn more about the HPD Program. Also visit HCAI’s HPD Program webpage or email hpd@hcai.ca.gov for more information. Subscribe to “Healthcare Payments Database News” to receive future newsletters if this newsletter was forwarded to you.
How does the HPD Collect and Report Data?
Find out by watching the video below.
https://youtu.be/R9Pe6wwtLsg?si=jKt2t02lKwk2iaBG
HPD Program Careers
Are you interested in joining the HCAI Team? Click below to look at job opportunities coming soon to support the HPD Program:
