Latest California Healthline Stories
White House: ACA Website Repaired; Insurers, Consumers Skeptical
A new HHS report says that the department has met its Nov. 30 goal to improve HealthCare.gov so that it “work[s] smoothly for the vast majority of users.” However, insurers continue to report issues receiving consumer enrollment information, and some consumers are concerned they will not have enough time to enroll in plans before the Dec. 23 deadline to be covered beginning Jan. 1. Washington Post et al.
Covered Calif. Seeks Consumer Data, Triggers Privacy Concerns
Covered California wants insurers to provide sensitive consumer data to help reduce health disparities in the state, but stakeholders are worried about privacy violations that could result from the initiative. Some insurers say they will provide such data only if the exchange demonstrates that it is lawful to do so. Sacramento Bee.
Calif. Officials, Insurers Set Up Retail Stores To Help Residents Sign Up for Health Insurance
California officials and health insurance companies are opening up retail stores to help residents sign up for health insurance. Covered California has estimated that 80% of individuals will want in-person assistance to discuss health insurance options. Covered California’s open enrollment period ends March 31, 2014. Los Angeles Times.
Many Bay Area small businesses are renewing health insurance policies early to delay certain restrictions under the Affordable Care Act until January 2015. Since August, some California-based health insurers have offered their small business customers an early renewal opportunity, which would allow them to avoid expected rate increases taking effect in 2014 and maintain age-based rates. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk.”
Few Latinos Enrolled in Covered California Coverage During October
Health care analysts have cited several barriers to Covered California enrollment for Latinos, who made up only 3% of total sign-ups in October. Such barriers include shortages of bilingual enrollment counselors and phone operators and glitches on the Spanish-language exchange website. McClatchy/Kaiser Health News.
California Health Care Personnel News Update for November 2013
The State Compensation Insurance Fund has named Carol Newman as interim president and Pete Guastamachio as interim CFO. On Dec. 2, Shelley Rouillard will take over as director of the state Department of Managed Care. Gov. Brown has appointed Meredith Williams as deputy director of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control Safer Products and Workplaces Program.
60% of California Kids Eat Fast Food at Least Once per Week, UCLA Study Finds
Sixty percent of California children ages 2 to 5 eat fast food at least once per week, according to a study by UCLA’s Center for Health Policy Research. The study found that among Latino children ages 2 to 5, 70% eat fast food at least once per week. Researchers said that the consumption of sugary drinks among young children has declined in recent years, suggesting that campaigns to discourage sugary drinks were successful and that similar campaigns might also work to encourage healthier eating. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Poll: 69% of Residents Say They Are Unaffected by ACA
Sixty-nine percent of U.S. residents say the Affordable Care Act has not affected them, according to a Gallup poll released Tuesday. The survey also found that 70% of uninsured residents — the law’s target population — said the law has neither helped nor hurt them. Politico.
White House Optimistic About HealthCare.gov Deadline
White House officials in recent days have reiterated that repairs to HealthCare.gov are “on track” to meet the administration’s self-imposed Nov. 30 deadline to have the website running smoothly for the “vast majority of users.” During a conference call with officials helping to enroll people at the local level on Tuesday, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said that consumers could expect a “significantly different user experience by the end of the month.” However, Jim Manley, a former aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D -Nev.), said that if the site continues to have problems in December, Democratic lawmakers will face increasing pressure to do something. Wall Street Journal.
States Expanding Medicaid Might Face Higher-Than-Expected Costs
A study published in Medicare & Medicaid Research Review finds states that expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act might face higher-than-expected costs, particularly for behavioral health services. In related news, South Carolina and several other states that opted out of the ACA’s Medicaid expansion still will see substantial enrollment increases. Modern Healthcare, McClatchy/Kaiser Health News.