Latest California Healthline Stories
Lawyers Analyze New Medicare Payment Data To Detect Fraud
Lawyers who specialize in representing health care fraud whistleblowers are analyzing newly released Medicare physician payment data to identify possible indications of fraud. CMS last week made the data on Medicare Part B payments to all participating providers available online. Reuters.
Calif. Clinics Still Waiting on Influx of Newly Insured Patients
Clinics across California that made facility upgrades and additions in order to accommodate the predicted increase in insured patients under the Affordable Care Act reportedly have not seen an uptick in customers. Health officials say the demand likely will pick up later in the year once consumers receive insurance cards and registration packets. HealthyCal.
Polls: Despite Meeting Enrollment Goals, Disapproval of ACA Still High
A pair of polls finds that 54% of U.S. residents still disapprove of the Affordable Care Act, while 45% believe the law will make the U.S. health care situation worse over the long term. The findings come shortly after health insurance exchange enrollments surpassed the Congressional Budget Office’s estimates. The Hill‘s Healthwatch, McClatchy/Sacramento Bee.
Democratic Candidates Vying for Waxman’s House Seat Support ACA Improvements, Medicare Expansion
All four Democratic candidates vying for the seat of Rep. Henry Waxman — who earlier this year announced he will retire — who have been endorsed by the Pacific Palisades Democratic Club say that they want to improve the Affordable Care Act and extend Medicare to more residents. The candidates include former Los Angeles City Controller and Council member Wendy Greuel, defense attorney David Kanuth, State Sen. Ted Lieu and journalist Matt Miller. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”
Health, Biomedical Industries in Silicon Valley Experience Boost in Sales, Profits and Hiring
Silicon Valley-based health and biomedical companies experienced a 15.5%, or $4.4 billion, bump in profits in 2013, while hiring rose by 5%. In addition, the health and biomedical industries grew at double the rate of the Silicon Valley 150, with an 8% increase in sales, or $23.4 billion, compared with 2012. San Jose Mercury News.
524 Affected by Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Calif. Farm
An additional 43 individuals have been sickened by a salmonella outbreak linked to raw chicken products produced by California-based Foster Farms, according to CDC data. The new cases bring the total number of people affected by the outbreak to 524. Los Angeles Times‘ “Money & Co.,” KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Cruise Ship in S.D. Has 123 Passengers With Norovirus
On Thursday, a cruise ship docked in San Diego with 100 passengers and 23 crew members — or about 3% of its passengers — who have been diagnosed with norovirus. Karen Candy, manager of media relations for Princess Cruise Lines, said the affected passengers have been quarantined in their cabins, and staff members stepped up cleaning efforts and offered hand-sanitizing gel in efforts to reduce the risk of other passengers contracting the illness. U-T San Diego.
Between 2011 and 2012, CMS made about $2 billion in inappropriate Medicare payments to home health agencies because physicians routinely failed to properly document the in-person visits required for home-based care referrals, according to a new report from the HHS Office of Inspector General. The report found that physicians did not meet documentation requirements for about 33% of home health claims. Modern Healthcare‘s “Vital Signs.”
HHS Secretary Sebelius Resigns; Obama Nominates Burwell to Post
After launching the health insurance exchanges and other provisions of the Affordable Care Act, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is resigning. President Obama has nominated Office of Management and Budget Director Sylvia Mathews Burwell to take Sebelius’ place. Bloomberg et al.
Exchange Enrollment Reaches 7.5M Under ACA, Sebelius Says
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says 7.5 million U.S. residents have enrolled in coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s health exchanges, while 11.7 million have been deemed eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Meanwhile, Sebelius says HHS is considering implementing financial penalties for states that contributed to a backlog of Medicaid applications. USA Today et al.