Latest California Healthline Stories
Workers’ Comp Rating Bureau Panel Recommends 9.5% Rate Increase
The California Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau actuarial committee has recommended increasing workers’ compensation rates by 9.5% in response to a state law that adjusts how physicians are paid through the workers’ compensation system. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk.”
Insurers Criticize Covered California for Delaying Quality Ratings
Three large insurers are criticizing Covered California for delaying the release of quality ratings for health plans offered through the exchange. Meanwhile, the number of unique visitors to the exchange website decreased during the third week of open enrollment, while the number of calls to its call centers remained stable. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.
Some California Providers Might Receive Waiver for 10% Medi-Cal Cut
California officials say a 10% cut to Medi-Cal reimbursement rates may be waived for some state health care providers. According to a Department of Health Care Services official, the agency will grant such waivers in cases where the cut could jeopardize beneficiaries’ access to care or medications. HealthyCal.
New Employment Data Show Little Evidence of ACA Affecting Hiring
Despite claims that the Affordable Care Act’s employee coverage requirements might cause large shifts toward hiring more part-time workers and reducing work hours, new data released yesterday suggest there is little evidence of such trends. Reuters, New York Times‘ “Economix.”
PhRMA Appeals Court’s Decision To Uphold Alameda County’s Prescription Drug Disposal Program
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association is appealing a federal court decision to uphold an Alameda County ordinance that requires prescription drug makers to pay for the safe disposal of their products. PhRMA is challenging whether county governments can regulate interstate commerce and has warned that such an ordinance will result in increased costs for consumers. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Los Angeles city and county officials warn that a June ballot measure that would create a separate Los Angeles city public health department would increase costs and erode county services. The city and county have filed separate lawsuits to try to invalidate the measure, but California law blocks city and county officials from publicly financing an opposition campaign. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which developed the measure, argues the county health department is too large and does a poor job controlling sexually transmitted diseases. Los Angeles Times.
On Monday, the Ohio Controlling Board voted 5-2 to approve the state’s use of about $2.5 billion in federal funds to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. The approval follows a nine-month impasse between Gov. John Kasich — who supports the expansion — and the Republican-led state Legislature, which has declined to approve Kasich’s expansion proposal in his budget requests. Kasich opted to seek the board’s approval because it is authorized to make state budget adjustments related to federal funding. Politico, Washington Post.
GAO Urges Removal of SSNs From Medicare ID Cards
A Government Accountability Office report recommends that CMS develop an information technology project to remove Social Security numbers from Medicare identification cards because such identifiers pose privacy and security risks to beneficiaries. HHS officials said that they mostly agreed with GAO’s recommendations but that a “clear source of funding for both IT and non-IT activities associated with SSN removal” would need to be identified before beginning such work. FierceHealthIT.
Several States Mull Alternative Medicaid Expansion Plans
About two dozen states have declined to participate in the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion, but several health policy experts say those states could instead adopt alternatives that differ from the ACA expansion model but achieve the same goals. Some of the states are considering a proposal that enables them to use federal funds to help residents purchase private insurance, according to Genevieve Kenney, co-director of the Urban Institute’s Health Policy Center. MedPage Today.
Audit: L.A. County Failed To Properly Regulate Drug Treatment Clinics
A recent audit finds that Los Angeles County authorities have failed to properly regulate drug treatment clinics in the county that receive Medi-Cal funding. The audit also found lapses in communication between state and county officials once fraud was discovered at such clinics. Center for Investigative Reporting.