Latest California Healthline Stories
Some State-Run Exchanges Plan To Extend Open Enrollment Period
Several state-run health insurance exchanges are considering extending the open enrollment period beyond March 31 for residents who have started their applications but faced technical difficulties completing them. However, the plans have not been approved by the Obama administration. Modern Healthcare, Washington Times.
Assembly Committee Advances Bill Mandating Paid Sick Leave
The Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment voted 5-1 to approve a bill that would require California workers receive at least three sick days annually. Some business groups oppose the measure, saying it would increase costs for employers. U-T San Diego.
Health Clinic Chains Assist in Covered California Enrollment Efforts
Retail health clinic chains in the state are offering assistance to residents in an effort to boost Latino enrollment in Covered California. For example, AltaMed clinics have enrolled about 900 residents per week in exchange health plans, while Clinica Sierra Vista has helped to enroll 600 residents per week. Los Angeles Times.
Assembly Considering New Bills on Charity Care Requirements
Two bills calling for stricter charity care requirements for not-for-profit acute care facilities are being considered by the state Legislature. The bills would create uniform community benefits rules and require not-for-profit hospitals to spend 5% of their revenue on charity care. Payers & Providers.
UCSF Officials Report Data Breach Affecting Nearly 10K
UC-San Francisco officials have announced that the personal health information of nearly 10,000 patients potentially was compromised when unencrypted desktop computers were stolen in January from the university’s Family Medicine Center at Lakeshore. The compromised data include patients’ names, birthdates, addresses, medical record numbers, health insurance identification numbers and driver’s license information. In addition, the data include Social Security numbers of 125 patients. Payers & Providers.
DPH Releases Geographic Data on Polio-Like Illness; Researchers Hit Roadblocks Identifying Cause
Last week, the California Department of Public Health released geographical data on more than 20 cases of a polio-like disease that causes paralysis. The data show that five of the cases occurred in the Bay Area and six occurred in other parts of Northern California. Meanwhile, researchers have had a hard time identifying the cause of the illness because most patients were not tested for viral infections until long after the paralysis occurred. San Francisco Chronicle.
Some Exchange Health Plans Exclude Cancer Care Centers
Few of the country’s nationally recognized comprehensive cancer centers are included in the provider networks of health plans offered through the federal and state insurance exchanges, according to an Associated Press survey. Some insurers could be excluding cancer care centers as part of a cost-saving strategy or as a way to discourage cancer patients — who could incur high costs — from selecting specific plans. AP/Yahoo! News.
UC-Davis Study Finds EHR Data Can Predict Sepsis Risk
Electronic health records can be used to predict the development of sepsis in an individual and his or her likely outcome if infected, according to a study by UC-Davis researchers. The study analyzed EHR data of 741 patients diagnosed with sepsis and found that vital signs and white blood cell counts can be used to accurately predict the illness. Health Data Management.
14 Calif. Measles Cases Involve Individuals Who Intentionally Skipped Vaccination
Nineteen of the 32 individuals diagnosed with measles in California this year had not received a vaccination against the disease, according to state public health officials. In addition, 14 of those individuals intentionally did not obtain measles vaccinations. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
HHS Has Authority To Grant Exceptions to Open Enrollment
Although the Obama administration says it will not extend the general open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges, HHS could grant special exceptions to individuals whose enrollment has been hampered by HealthCare.gov technical glitches. Modern Healthcare‘s “Vital Signs,” Kaiser Health News.