Latest California Healthline Stories
Covered Calif. Warns That ACA Implementation Increases Fraud Risks
Fraudulent activity related to the Affordable Care Act likely will increase as implementation progresses in California, according to officials with the state health insurance exchange. For instance, scammers could try to collect money for fake “ObamaCare cards” or tell individuals that they will go to jail if they do not obtain insurance, among other fraudulent activities. HealthyCal.
Covered California Undecided About Health Plan Cancellations Fix
Covered California exchange officials are hesitant to allow insurers to continue selling policies that do not meet the Affordable Care Act’s minimum coverage standards, according to executive director Peter Lee. Last week, President Obama announced a change in policy that would allow consumers to keep their current health plans. Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle.
Calif. Orders Insurers To Cover Speech, Occupational Therapy
Yesterday, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California and Health Net each received “cease and desist” orders from the California Department of Managed Health Care targeting denials of speech and occupational therapy services for policyholders. Sacramento Business Journal et al.
PCORI To Dole Out $1B for Comparative Effectiveness Research
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute board of governors has green-lit a plan to disburse more than $1 billion in grants in 2014 and 2015 for comparative effectiveness research projects. The latest round of funding marks a significant increase from the nearly $400 million the organization planned to award by the end of this year. Modern Healthcare, CQ HealthBeat.
UC-Santa Barbara Announces Meningitis Investigation
On Monday, UC-Santa Barbara said that health officials are investigating a case of two students who were diagnosed with meningococcal disease. The university said that it has not identified any connection with an outbreak of meningitis at Princeton University that has sickened seven people. UC-Santa Barbara also said that health officials are identifying people who came in close contact with the ill students and providing them with antibiotics. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Orange County Ambulance Provider Pays $3M To Settle Lawsuit Alleging Medicare Billing Fraud
Lynch Ambulance has paid nearly $3 million to settle charges that the Orange County ambulance company regularly billed Medicare, TRICARE and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program for patient transports that were not medically necessary between 2001 and 2007. The company and two of its principals settled the case without admitting wrongdoing. AP/U-T San Diego, Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, which represents more than 21,000 technical and service workers at University of California medical facilities, has threatened a 24-hour strike for Wednesday regarding contract negotiation disputes on wages and benefits and staffing levels. The strike would affect 10 UC campuses and five hospitals. Sacramento Superior Court has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday where the state labor relations board will request a restraining order to limit the number of employees in critical health and safety roles who would be permitted to strike. U-T San Diego, Orange County Register.
Judge Rejects CalPERS’ Request To Challenge San Bernardino’s Bankruptcy Eligibility
On Friday, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Meredith Jury rejected CalPERS’ request to challenge San Bernardino’s bankruptcy eligibility in the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. In August, the judge ruled that San Bernardino was eligible for bankruptcy, dismissing CalPERS’ argument that the city was trying to circumvent its pension obligations. Following Jury’s most recent ruling, CalPERS said it plans to appeal the matter to a U.S. District Court judge. Sacramento Bee.
House Passes ‘Keep Your Health Plan’ Legislation
On Friday, the House voted 261-157 to approve a bill that would to allow U.S. residents to keep their existing health plans, even if the plans do not meet the Affordable Care Act’s minimum coverage requirements. A Democratic Senate aide said the upper chamber is not expected to take up the bill, while the White House has announced that President Obama would veto it. Reuters et al.
Obama, Insurers Discuss Health Insurance Policy Cancellation ‘Fix’
Last week, President Obama, White House officials and more than a dozen health insurance executives met to discuss the president’s administrative “fix” to the health insurance policy cancellation issue under the Affordable Care Act. Following the meeting, the executives agreed that they are willing to work with the Obama administration to address the cancellation issue while protecting the financial viability of the new market. AP/Sacramento Bee et al.