Latest California Healthline Stories
Insurers Still Calculating Rate Increases for Exchange Plans in 2015
Insurance industry observers say most insurers likely will raise premiums for health plans sold through the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges in 2015. However, insurers have received little data on the health and costs of new enrollees and are still calculating how to adjust rates for next year. Kaiser Health News/Washington Post, CQ HealthBeat.
Individual Mandate Exemption Applications Lower Than Expected
An analysis of internal government documents shows that about 77,000 exemption applications for the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate have been filed, even though millions of people could qualify for one of the law’s exemptions. According to the documents, none of the requests had been rejected as of April 20. Washington Post.
DHCS Aims To Remedy Gaps in Mental Health Care Access
The Affordable Care Act and California’s Mental Health Parity Act have helped Californians gain access to some mental health care services in the state, but access to such services has been hampered because of discrepancies in coverage under some insurance plans. HealthyCal.
Covered California To Focus on Outreach Between Enrollment Periods
Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee says the exchange will focus on improving health literacy and continuing outreach in between open enrollment periods. He says efforts to increase health coverage in the state are “only just beginning.” Oakland Tribune/Contra Costa Times.
UC-San Francisco Sets Sights on Silicon Valley Partnerships To Tackle Real-World Health Issues
UC-San Francisco interim chancellor Sam Hawgood said university researchers are looking to collaborate with Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and innovators on projects involving “real-world problems that could have [technology] solutions.” For example, Hawgood noted a recent deal between the university and Samsung Electronics to create a health innovation lab at UCSF’s Mission Bay campus focused on mobile health technologies. San Francisco Business Times‘ “BiotechSF.”
JAMA Study Increases Scrutiny of Ties Between UCLA Medical School, Health Care Companies
A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association increases scrutiny over ties between UCLA School of Medicine staff and the health care industry that potentially could result in conflicts of interest. For example, the study notes that Eugene Washington, dean of the medical school, also is a board member for Johnson & Johnson, the largest medical product producer in the world. Los Angeles Times.
Undocumented Immigrants Have Options for Health Coverage Outside of ACA Exchanges
Even though undocumented immigrants — including about one million in California — are not able to gain health insurance through the Affordable Care Act’s insurance exchanges, some can obtain coverage through student health plans, employer-sponsored plans, private health plans and Medicaid. According to Laurel Lucia, policy analyst at the UC-Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education, information provided to Medicaid or private insurance providers cannot be used to deport undocumented immigrants or their families. Los Angeles Times.
Mobile Medical Units Deployed in O.C. in Effort To Help Low-Income Residents Access Health Care
In Orange County, hospitals and community health care providers have deployed at least 10 mobile medical clinics to help low-income residents more easily access health care. Most of the mobile units include two or more exam rooms and have Internet access so that providers can view medical or dental records of patients who have visited the unit before. HealthyCal.
White House Extends Exchange Enrollment for High-Risk Pool
The Obama administration announced that it will extend until June 30 the HealthCare.gov enrollment period for individuals enrolled in the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. According to the announcement, state-run exchanges will also allow for “a similar special enrollment period.” The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog.”
CDC: Child Vaccine Program Prevented 731K Deaths, Saved $1.7T
A new CDC report finds the Vaccines for Children program prevented an estimated 731,700 premature deaths, 21 million hospitalizations and 322 million diseases over two decades. The report shows the program saved an estimated $1.7 trillion over the same period. Los Angeles Times‘ “Science Now” et al.