Latest California Healthline Stories
Calif. Homeless Women Face Obstacles to ACA Coverage
Under the Medi-Cal expansion, beneficiaries are required to provide proof of residency, which could make it difficult for homeless individuals in California — 53% of whom now qualify for the program — to obtain coverage. Homeless women could encounter additional barriers to receiving care, such as needing to obtain child care services to attend a physician appointment. HealthyCal.
Brown’s Budget Proposal Aims To Reduce Prison Overcrowding
Gov. Brown seeks to cut the state prison population through various provisions in his fiscal year 2014-2015 budget plan. However, Brown’s proposal is based on an assumption that the court will grant California an additional two years to comply with an order to reduce the state’s inmate population. AP/U-T San Diego et al.
Most Uninsured Lack ACA Knowledge, Haven’t Visited Exchange Site
An Enroll America survey finds that most uninsured U.S. residents do not have a basic understanding of the Affordable Care Act and 70% of respondents said they have not yet visited a health insurance exchange website. Reuters, The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Blue Shield of California To Acquire GEMCare
This week, Blue Shield of California announced that it will acquire Bakersfield-based health insurer GEMCare. GEMCare has 8,000 Medicare members and 12,000 commercial or group members in Kern County and the Central Coast area. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk,” Los Angeles Times‘ “Money & Co.”
Southern California Physician Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Medicare Fraud Scheme
Southern California physician Emilio Louis Cruz III has pleaded guilty to participating in a Medicare fraud scheme involving three fake clinics in Sacramento, Carmichael and Richmond. All three clinics submitted more than $5 million worth of fraudulent Medicare claims, $1.7 million of which was paid. Cruz was sentenced to three years and two months in prison and ordered to pay $601,581 in restitution. Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento Bee‘s “Sacto 911.”
UCSF, Quest Partner To Develop New Diagnostic Tests
UC-San Francisco is partnering with Quest Diagnostics to develop new diagnostic tests related to the treatment of autism, neurology, oncology and women’s health. The tests could include imaging technology, use of specific biomarkers or other genetic indicators of disease, and clinical and population research. As part of the initiative, Quest will award five to 10 individual grants of $50,000 to $500,000 to UCSF researchers annually.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of January 10, 2014
Sutter Health affiliate Alta Bates Summit Medical Center has announced plans to cut 359 full- and part-time positions. Children’s Hospital Oakland released the body of a 13-year-old patient who last month was declared brain dead, and the patient’s family has transferred the body to a facility for continued care.
Drug Companies Could Use EHR Systems for Marketing
Electronic health record systems could be used by pharmaceutical companies to market their products to physicians and consumers. For example, Practice Fusion offers a no-cost EHR system to providers who agree to receive advertisements for prescription drugs and provide data from patient files.
States could significantly reduce health care costs by enacting policies aimed at eliminating fee-for-service health care models, according to a report released Wednesday by the State Health Care Cost Containment Commission. The report outlined specific recommendations to reduce costs, such as by moving toward a coordinated care model and taking the lead in developing creative, unique cost-saving proposals. Modern Healthcare, Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules.”
Study: 12 of the Most Expensive U.S. Hospitals Are Located in Calif.
A new study finds that a dozen of the most expensive U.S. hospitals are located in California. According to the report, the most expensive California hospital is Olympia Medical Center, which charges 1,034% more than its actual medical costs. Payers & Providers, Institute for Health & Socio-Economic Policy Report.