Latest California Healthline Stories
Whistle-Blower Lawsuit Alleges Medicare Fraud at Prime Healthcare
An employee at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego has filed a $50 million lawsuit alleging that Prime Healthcare misrepresented patients’ conditions in order to receive excess reimbursements payments from Medicare. Prime called the allegations “speculative nonsense.” U-T San Diego, AP/Sacramento Bee.
RAND: Fix for Canceled Policies Won’t Send ACA Into ‘Death Spiral’
A new RAND analysis finds that three plans proposed last fall to allow U.S. residents to keep their existing health coverage under the Affordable Care Act would increase federal spending and decrease expected enrollment in the exchanges but would not threaten the viability of the exchanges. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Latinos Make Up Fewer Than 20% of Covered California Enrollees
Data released yesterday by Covered California show that fewer than one-fifth of individuals who have enrolled in health coverage through the exchange identify as Latino, Hispanic or Spanish. Latinos are seen as key to the success of the Affordable Care Act because they typically are younger and healthier than other uninsured residents. Sacramento Bee et al.
Report Gives Calif. Low Grades for Tobacco Control Efforts
A new American Lung Association report gives California “F” grades for its smoking cessation coverage and tobacco prevention. It recommends that the state allocate more funding to such efforts and increase its cigarette tax. Orange County Register, ALA report.
Bill Would Require California Employers To Offer Paid Sick Leave to Those Employed at Least 90 Days
On Tuesday, Assembly member Lorena Gonzalez introduced a bill that would require California employers to provide paid sick leave to employees who have been working at the business for at least 90 days. The bill would allow employers to cap sick leave at three days annually. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.
7M Patients To Use Telehealth by 2018, Report Says
A report by IHS Technology predicts that the number of patients who use telehealth services will increase from fewer than 350,000 last year to more than seven million in 2018. In addition, the report estimates that revenue from the telehealth industry will increase tenfold, from $440.6 million in 2013 to $4.5 billion in 2018. FierceHealthIT, Clinical Innovation & Technology.
Hospital Prices Increase at Slowest Rate in 15 Years
Hospital prices in 2013 increased by 4.7%, the smallest increase since 1999, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2013 Consumer Price Index. That rate is also lower than the average annual increase of 6.2% since 1999. Meanwhile, the hospital CPI — which reflects the prices paid by commercial insurers — has declined over the last four years. Modern Healthcare.
At Least 45 Flu-Related Deaths Confirmed in California
As of Jan. 11, 45 individuals across California have died after contracting influenza, according to a state tracking system. State officials said they are investigating an additional 50 deaths that might be related to the flu. Gil Chavez, a state epidemiologist, said the “great majority” of those who died had not received a flu vaccination. Sacramento Bee et al.
Appeals Court Says State Law Does Not Protect Calif. Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
An appeals court last week ruled that three California medical marijuana dispensaries are not protected under state law from federal lawsuits or being prosecuted for criminal charges under the federal Controlled Substances Act. The decision upholds three lower court rulings. AP/U-T San Diego.
Specialists’ Incomes on the Rise as Patients’ Medical Costs Grow
The incomes of specialists in dermatology, gastroenterology and oncology increased by at least 50% between 1995 and 2012. Observers say that some practices, such as performing more services that are particularly lucrative, have led to increases in patients’ medical bills. New York Times.