Latest California Healthline Stories
Three Calif. Insurers Extend Payment Deadlines for Feb. Premiums
Three insurers selling policies through Covered California — Blue Shield, HealthNet and Kaiser — have decided to extend the deadline for consumers to pay their February premiums. Several insurers participating in the exchange previously extended their January premium payment deadlines as well. KQED’s “The California Report,” Rep. Paul Ruiz website.
Statewide Partnership Aims To Boost Efficiency of Clinical Trials
A new partnership between several California health centers and research facilities aims to reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of clinical drug trials. Participants in the initiative include five University of California campuses, Scripps Health and Stanford University. San Francisco Business Times‘ “BiotechSF.”
500,000 Enrolled in WellPoint Plans Through ACA’s Exchanges
Yesterday, WellPoint — which sells individual health plans in California and 13 other states –announced that as of last week, about 500,000 individuals had enrolled in plans it offered through the health insurance exchanges. The insurer said about 80% of its exchange enrollees were new customers. Los Angeles Times‘ “Money & Co.” et al.
Study: Average Wait for Doctor’s Appointment in Cities Was 18.5 Days
A new Merritt Hawkins study finds that new patients in 15 U.S. cities had to wait an average of 18.5 days for a doctor’s appointment in 2013, down from 20.4 days in 2009. Boston had the longest wait time, while Dallas had the shortest wait time, according to the study. Kaiser Health News/Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog.”
S.D. Supervisors Announce Creation of Special Unit To Handle Assisted Living Center Problems
During a “State of the County” address on Wednesday, San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob announced a new initiative to create a special prosecution unit to deal with problems at assisted living facilities. The county also will launch a separate initiative to monitor the sheriff’s deputies’ health in an effort to reduce health care costs. U-T San Diego.
S.F. Sheriff Wants To Help Inmates Enroll in ACA Coverage
On Tuesday, San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi introduced a bill before the city Board of Supervisors that would make his office responsible for helping inmates sign up for health coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Inmates already have access to health care while in county jails, but the bill is designed to ensure they are covered once they are released. Mirkarimi estimated that taxpayers would save about $2,500 per year for each inmate the department helps enroll in coverage through the state insurance exchange or Medi-Cal. San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post‘s “GovBeat.”
Study: Low Awareness of Medicaid Expansions, Could Be Affecting Enrollment
Medicaid enrollment in three states — including California — that expanded their programs under the Affordable Care Act has been lower than expected primarily because newly eligible residents are not aware of their status, according to a study presented at a Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission meeting last week. Through focus groups, researchers found that few participants were aware of Medicaid expansion in their states and that many were unfamiliar with Medicaid. Modern Healthcare.
COBRA Policyholders Hitting Roadblock When Signing Up for New Coverage Through Covered California
Some California residents have run into problems when purchasing a health plan through Covered California because they previously received COBRA benefits and there is no place on the exchange website for consumers to indicate the end date for such coverage. Covered California spokesperson Anne Gonzalez said consumers with COBRA should seek help from enrollment counselors because of the website glitch. KQED’s “State of Health.”
On Tuesday, the Oakland City Council passed an ordinance that requires apartment complex owners to ensure smoking is banned in some units and calls for a smoking ban at all future apartment complexes in the city. The measure applies to all tobacco, marijuana and e-cigarette products. Contra Costa Times.
Quality Report Cards on Calif. Insurers, Providers Released
Yesterday, the California Office of Patient Advocate released its annual report cards examining how well HMOs, PPOs and various medical groups in the state meet standards of health care quality. The report finds that most HMOs rank poorly in the long-term treatment of patients with asthma and diabetes. Los Angeles Times et al.