Latest California Healthline Stories
Senate Approves 12-Month ‘Doc Fix,’ Sends Bill to Obama
The Senate has voted to pass a House-approved measure that would delay for one year a scheduled 24% cut to Medicare physician reimbursement rates. The bill now heads to President Obama, who is expected to sign it into law before the scheduled cuts take effect today. Washington Post‘s “Post Politics” et al.
Covered California Sign-Ups Reach 1.2M at End of Open Enrollment
As of 2 a.m. yesterday — the last day of open enrollment in the Affordable Care Act’s insurance exchanges — about 1.2 million state residents had selected a plan through Covered California. Meanwhile, the exchange disabled portions of its website in an effort to deal with the increased demand. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk” et al.
DOI Analysis: 43% of Medical Coverage Denial Appeals Are Successful
A review by the California Department of Insurance finds that 43% of individuals who sought an independent medical review of a denial of coverage for a medical service between 2001 and 2013 were successful in having the decision reversed. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Not-for-Profit Organization Brings No-Cost Dental Care to Low-Income California Residents
Dentistry from the Heart, a not-for-profit organization that partners with 37 dental clinics throughout California to offer no-cost dental care, treated more than 100 people at its first event in Salinas. Program Director Brian Carlsen said that the organization, which has been providing care since 2001, holds annual events throughout the state and has treated nearly 85,000 residents. HealthyCal.
Bill Would Require Paid Breaks To Protect Outdoor Workers From Heat-Related Illnesses
The California Legislature is considering a bill that would require employers to provide paid rest breaks to outdoor workers in order to prevent heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Current law requires employers to offer outdoor workers breaks, but a 2007 study found that most workers were refusing to take breaks because they often are unpaid. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Md. Exchange Board Slated To Vote on Replacing Website
On Tuesday, the board of Maryland’s health insurance exchange will vote on a plan to replace the state’s troubled exchange website with technology from Connecticut’s exchange site, according to two people familiar with the decision. Maryland officials have not yet made any official announcements regarding the decision to replace the state’s exchange website. Washington Post.
Oakland-Based VA Benefit Office Lacks Permanent Director, Struggles To Process Backlog of 12K Claims
Scrutiny of an Oakland-based Department of Veterans Affairs regional benefit office has intensified as the center struggles to deal with a backlog of more than 12,000 claims that have been pending longer than 125 days. The center has been without a permanent executive director, which critics say has exacerbated the backlog. San Jose Mercury News.
Schools Increasingly Screening Students for Obesity
Schools in nearly 25% of states — including California — increasingly are recording students’ body mass index scores to determine whether they are obese. Some school districts — such as in Chula Vista — use the measurements to address obesity or diabetes among the student population, but others have been criticized after sending home letters to parents when their children are found to be obese. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Vaccination Exemptions Among Calif. Kindergartners Are Up 16%
More than 16,000 state students entering kindergarten this year had not received recommended vaccinations — an increase of 16% from last year. Experts say some parents forego the vaccinations because of religious reasons, because they believe the shots are linked to autism or because they cannot afford them. Sacramento Bee, California Department of Public Health release.
9.5M U.S. Residents Newly Insured Under ACA, Analysis Finds
A new analysis finds at least 9.5 million previously uninsured U.S. residents have gained health coverage under the Affordable Care Act. That figure represents the largest expansion of health coverage since the federal government created Medicaid and Medicare in 1965. Los Angeles Times.