Program Updates
Public Reporting
HCAI produces various data products and analytic reports using HPD data to support the goals of the program. Most recently, HCAI released the report on Inpatient Hospital Costs by Region. This report presents cost and utilization information for acute hospital inpatient stays by region and type of stay in California in 2023. The focus of this report is the overall cost of the care provided during an inpatient hospital stay; this includes both the costs of the services provided by the facility and those rendered by professionals. The severity of the patient’s conditions and the complexity of the procedures performed during a stay can be a significant source of cost variation, so in addition to the median cost per stay, the median severity-adjusted cost per stay is also shown along with the median severity and median length of stay.
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 September 28, 2026, there are 41 pending HPD data requests at various stages of review, including requests from universities, public agencies, research organizations, and other entities. During the same period, 22 requests have been completed (5 supplemental) and fulfilled, providing data access to organizations such as the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (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 Additionally, several requests have been withdrawn or closed, reflecting the dynamic nature of the application process.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 HPD Access and Release webpage and go to Resources. Then choose List of Pending and Competed HPD Data Requests download.
Non-Claims Payment Data Collection Key Dates
Non-claims payment (NCP) data is a new data type health plans and insurers are required to submit to HPD. NCP data 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 PBM Fact Sheet for more information.
HCAI has completed the first round of stakeholder engagement workshops with PBMs and other stakeholders. The feedback will inform the development of the PBM data collection regulations, including reporting guidance, data definitions, time for data preparation and validation, approaches to reporting rebates, acquisition costs, and administrative feeds. The feedback will also support HCAI’s ongoing regulatory development and implementation efforts. Below is the PBM data collection implementation timeline.
Stakeholder Engagement
HPD Program Advisory Committee
The HPD Program Advisory Committee (AC) 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 AC convenes quarterly.
On July 23, 2026, HCAI convened the HPD AC to present on department and program updates, including updates on HPD data collection, data quality, efforts and engagement, and data collection updates on dental, NCP, and PBM data.
The next HPD AC meeting will be held on October 22, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The October 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 updates on data collection, data release, and public reporting priorities and progress. The agenda and meeting materials will be posted on the HPD AC webpage prior to the meeting.
Visit the HPD AC Meetings Archive for past meeting materials.
HPD Data Release Committee
The HPD Data Release Committee (DRC) is integral to support the implementation and administration of the HPD Program and advises HCAI on the release of HPD data.
On May 20, 2026, HCAI convened the HPD DRC to review program updates, discuss lessons learned from early data request workflows, and prepare for the committee’s first formal application review. Members discussed making improvements to reviewer assignments, documentation practices, and meeting cadence, and agreed to form an administrative subcommittee to support the HPD DRC between formal public meetings.
The next HPD DRC meeting is scheduled for December 16, 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, as well as a location at the Inland Empire Health Plan. 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 convenes quarterly.
The next HPD Submitter Group Meeting will be on October 8, 2026. Register to attend the virtual meeting. Anticipated meeting topics include key program updates, review of upcoming deadlines, NCP submission reminders, data quality review, and resource review. 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.
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:
