Latest California Healthline Stories
State-Run Exchanges Credit Smaller Size, Better Focus for Success
At a briefing last week, officials from California, the District of Columbia, Kentucky and Rhode Island said their state-run health insurance exchanges were able to avoid many of the problems that plagued the federally run HealthCare.gov because of their smaller size and ability to better focus on constituents’ needs. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” Modern Healthcare.
Calif. Fines Eight Hospitals for Not Complying With Licensing Rules
California Department of Public Health has levied $475,000 in penalties against eight hospitals in the state. The hospitals were fined for several violations that could have caused patient injury or death, such as not obeying surgical and medication policies and procedures. Orange County Register, DPH release.
CMS Delays Enforcement of Inpatient Admission Rule
In response to growing pressure for health care providers, CMS last week announced that it would instruct Medicare’s recovery auditors to wait until after Sept. 30 to audit claims under the “two-midnight” rule, which instituted a time-based presumption period for medically necessary inpatient care. Modern Healthcare.
California Health Care Personnel Roundup for January 2014
Todd Gillenwater will become interim CEO of the California Healthcare Institute in February. CalPERS Chief Investment Officer Joseph Dear is taking an indefinite leave of absence from his position because of a medical condition. Gov. Brown made five appointments to the Dental Hygiene Committee of California.
Calif. Influenza Death Toll Rises to 147, Health Officials Say
On Friday, California public health officials announced that 147 individuals in the state have died after contracting influenza — 10 times the number of flu-related deaths in the state reported at the same time last year. James Watt, head of the state’s Division of Communicable Disease Control, said 44 other deaths are being investigated for possible links to the flu. Reuters et al.
UC-Santa Barbara Gets OK To Use Meningitis Vaccine That Is Not Yet Approved in U.S.
On Friday, UC-Santa Barbara officials announced that federal regulators have signed off on the use of a meningitis vaccine not yet approved in the U.S. The move comes after four students in November 2013 were diagnosed with a form of bacterial meningitis that does not respond to the meningitis vaccine currently approved for use in the U.S. Reuters, AP/UT-San Diego.
UCSF Receives $50M for New Women’s Hospital
UC-San Francisco Medical Center at Mission Bay has received a $50 million donation to help fund a new women’s hospital that will be part of a larger $1.5 billion project to create a 289-bed medical complex expected to open in February 2015. The women’s hospital will be named after Betty Irene Moore, who donated the money along with her husband, Intel Co-Founder Gordon Moore. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk,” AP/Sacramento Bee.
On Thursday, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed (D) said a legal challenge is mounting against the state attorney general’s official description of a proposed ballot measure that would grant cities greater authority to change pension and retirement benefits for public workers. Supporters say the wording does not accurately represent the intent of the measure, but delays caused by a legal fight could set the measure back to the 2016 ballot. San Jose Mercury News.
CMS Expands Anti-Fraud Crackdown With New Enrollment Moratorium for Home Health, Ambulance Companies
On Thursday, CMS announced that it would temporarily block several home health agencies and ambulance companies from enrolling in or receiving reimbursements from Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, in an effort to preempt fraudulent payments. CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner said the moratorium — which is allowed under a provision of the Affordable Care Act — is intended to shift CMS’ anti-fraud strategy to focus more on prevention. Modern Healthcare.
States’ Implementation of ACA Varies, Commonwealth Fund Finds
A new Commonwealth Fund report finds that states’ implementation of the Affordable Care Act varies. California is one of 10 states that has expanded or is taking action to expand Medicaid, has established its own health insurance exchange and has implemented insurance market reforms. Modern Healthcare‘s “Vital Signs,” Commonwealth Fund release.