Latest California Healthline Stories
Early Federal Exchange Enrollment Lower Than Expected, Sources Say
Sources familiar with internal federal government data say only about 40,000 to 50,000 people had enrolled in health coverage through the federally run online marketplace as of last week, which is about one-tenth of the administration’s initial enrollment goal. An HHS spokesperson declined to confirm the numbers, noting that officials still expect most people to sign up later. Wall Street Journal, Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog.”
440,000 Enrolled in Medicaid Since Oct. 1, Analysis Finds
An analysis finds that since the launch of open enrollment last month, 440,000 U.S. residents have enrolled in Medicaid in 10 of the 25 states that have expanded their programs under the Affordable Care Act. However, federal health insurance exchange website issues have stifled thousands of low-income U.S. residents from enrolling in Medicaid. AP/Sacramento Bee, New York Times.
Stakeholders Have Varying Opinions on California Prison Realignment
A new report finds that stakeholders in California’s prison system have varied opinions about a realignment initiative that seeks to curb overcrowding and improve prison health care. Probation officers are most supportive of realignment, while prosecuting attorneys largely oppose it, according to the report. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” Stanford University report.
Calif. Requires Anthem Blue Cross To Delay Cancellation of Plans
California is requiring Anthem Blue Cross to delay until February 2014 the cancellation of about 104,000 health plans that do not meet the Affordable Care Act’s requirements. The order follows the insurer’s failure to meet an Oct. 1 deadline to inform policyholders of the impending cancellations. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk,” Los Angeles Times.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation Files Proposal To Create Health Citizens’ Commission for Los Angeles
On Friday, AIDS Healthcare Foundation filed a proposed initiative with the Los Angeles’ City Clerk’s Office to form a citizens’ commission to oversee health services that the city receives from Los Angeles County. The commission would be charged with reviewing county contracts, attending county health policy meetings and developing an annual health services plan. Los Angeles Times.
Santa Clara County’s Ambulance Provider, Workers Union Agree to Two-Year Contract
Last week, Rural/Metro — a private ambulance provider serving Santa Clara County — and Santa Clara County’s emergency medical service union workers agreed to a two-year contract that improves safety conditions and restores or increases salaries for many emergency medical technicians and paramedics. In August, the ambulance company filed for bankruptcy reorganization. Rural/Metro’s West Zone Senior Vice President John Wilson said he hopes the company’s financial restructuring plans will be approved next month by a bankruptcy court. San Jose Mercury News.
Study: Most Hospital Residents See Limited Value in iPads
Most hospital residents do not consider Apple’s iPad to be a valuable clinical rounding or educational tool, according to a study published in this month’s Journal of Mobile Technology in Medicine. Researchers found that 14.7% of medical and surgical residents at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Ohio said they used the iPad on rounds and 7.8% said the device helped with documentation efficiency. The study’s authors wrote that the findings support “decreased utility of the iPad, particularly among non-medicine-based residents.” FierceMobileHealthcare.
Consumers and physicians are facing similar challenges obtaining information about which hospitals and physician practices are available in the provider networks of health plans offered through the federal and state-operated exchanges. As a result, consumers are not able to determine whether they can continue to see their current physicians or consider physicians close to them. Meanwhile, some physicians are finding it difficult to confirm whether they are covered in a plan when patients ask for such information. USA Today.
DaVita HealthCare Partners Reports Data Breach Affecting Protected Information of 11,500 Patients
DaVita HealthCare Partners in California has reported that an unencrypted laptop containing the protected health information of 11,500 patients was stolen from an employee’s vehicle. The laptop contained information such as patients’ names, clinical diagnoses, insurance data and claims data. In addition, the laptop contained the Social Security numbers of 375 patients. Following the breach, DaVita spokesperson Skip Thurman said the provider has reviewed its encryption policies and implemented additional safeguards. Healthcare IT News.
White House Mulls Fix for Canceled Coverage Under ACA
The Obama administration is in the process of looking for a fix to help the millions of U.S. residents who have been notified by their insurers that their current health plans have been canceled because they do not meet the minimum coverage standards under the Affordable Care Act. Congress also is considering several bills that would allow U.S. residents to keep their existing health plans, even if they do not meet the ACA’s minimum coverage requirements. AP/Sacramento Bee et al.