Latest California Healthline Stories
White House Taps Private-Sector Tech Experts To Fix Exchange Site
Software and technology experts from Google, Red Hat and Oracle have been tapped by the Obama administration to help fix the federal insurance exchange website. Yesterday, a CMS spokesperson echoed previous assertions by administration officials that the exchange website will be fully functional by Nov. 30. USA Today et al.
Covered California Uses Social Media To Encourage Enrollment
Covered California has set up accounts on social media websites like Facebook and Twitter to answer state residents’ questions about health insurance exchange plans and encourage them to enroll in coverage. Exchange officials say that social media posts aimed at individuals have received more comments than those targeting small businesses. Modern Healthcare, HealthyCal.
Nearly 1M California Policyholders Face Plan Cancellation Under ACA
A state official says that nearly one million health insurance policyholders in California could be forced to switch plans as the Affordable Care Act takes effect. Several insurers participating in California’s insurance exchange already have sent policy cancellation notices, including Blue Shield of California and Kaiser Permanente. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk.”
Health Care Providers Offer No-Cost Care to Patients at Annual Clinic in Los Angeles
On Thursday, a team of physicians, nurses, dentists and other health care workers began providing no-cost care to patients at the annual Care Harbor clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. The clinic expects to serve about 4,000 L.A. residents, many of whom are uninsured. During the clinic, the arena floor features different stations for various services, such as AIDS testing, eye exams and immunizations. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
Controversial Videos of Mentally Ill Inmates Being Pepper-Sprayed Filed in Federal Court
On Thursday, six videos showing prison guards pepper-spraying and then subduing inmates with mental illnesses were filed in federal court. Attorneys for inmates say the videos show that prisoners with mental illness are being treated with excessive force, while state officials argue that the guards followed proper procedure in the taped incidents and that the use of force is “always a last resort.” Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”
Website Lets Patients Shop for Discounted Dental Care
A new website, Brighter.com, allows patients to shop for discounted dental care based on price and location. Dentists set their own prices for procedures, which are displayed on the website. Consumers can use the Web service at no-cost, but they must pay in full at the time of service. Dentists pay $50 for each patient they receive through the website. About 600 dentists have joined the network, which is expanding in Southern California and next year will expand outside of the state. KQED’s “State of Health.”
Bicameral ‘Doc Fix’ Aims To Permanently Replace SGR
On Thursday, lawmakers from the Senate Finance and House Ways & Means committees unveiled a bipartisan draft framework aimed at permanently replacing Medicare’s sustainable growth rate formula, which sets physician reimbursement rates. The “doc fix” is expected to cost less than a similar House bill because it would freeze physician payments for 10 years, while HR 2810 would include 0.5% annual updates over five years. MedPage Today.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of November 1, 2013
Kaiser Permanente has dropped plans to build a hospital and medical center in Temecula. Meanwhile, the California State Association of Counties has awarded Riverside County Regional Medical Center the Challenge Award for its campaign to reduce surgical site infections.
UCLA Launches Brain Imaging Database for Research on Chronic Pain Conditions
UCLA has announced the launch of the first-ever standardized database for brain imaging associated with chronic pain. The goal of the database — funded in part by a $300,000 NIH grant — is to collect information on more than 1,000 individuals to determine similarities and differences between chronic conditions. Health Data Management.
Report: Medi-Cal Enrollment Up as Private Coverage Declines
A report by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research finds that more California residents have enrolled in Medi-Cal and other public health insurance programs in recent years, while the number of individuals with private health insurance coverage has decreased. Payers & Providers.