Latest California Healthline Stories
CMS Speeds Up ACA Payment Reform for Mid-Sized Physician Groups
A CMS draft rule released this month aims to accelerate a plan to move thousands of doctors in medium-sized physician groups into an Affordable Care Act program that would tie a portion of their Medicare reimbursements to the quality-of-care they provide. Kaiser Health News/Washington Post.
California Officials Say Just 1,205 Inmates Eligible for Early Release
In a court filing last week, California officials said they can find only about 1,200 state inmates who could be released early without endangering public safety. A federal court order calls for the state to release about 9,600 inmates — or 8% of the prison population — by 2014. AP/U-T San Diego.
Sacramento Leads State in Disability Benefits Applications
New federal data show that about 57,000 residents in the Sacramento area receive monthly Social Security disability benefits, double the number from 15 years ago. Sacramento leads the state in federal disability benefit applications. Working-age adults in the four-county region are 40% more likely to be on disability than workers elsewhere in the state. Sacramento Bee.
Covered California Selects ACA Training Software Vendor
Covered California — the state’s health insurance exchange — has selected Meridian Knowledge Solutions — a subsidiary of Visionary Integration Professionals — to provide software to train 40,000 grantees and state workers who will educate state residents about the Affordable Care Act and encourage them to apply for health care coverage. Sacramento Business Journal.
Disease Management Varies Among Calif. Community Health Centers
California community health centers vary in their ability to control patients’ chronic diseases, according to federal data. Stakeholders say the variance likely has to do with electronic health record adoption and time invested in quality improvements. Los Angeles Times.
Anthem Pulls Out of Covered Calif.’s Small Business Exchange
Anthem Blue Cross — California’s largest insurer for small businesses — has decided not to offer plans through Covered California’s small business health exchange after the state said insurers no longer are required to do so to sell plans through the individual insurance exchange. Sacramento Business Journal et al.
Many Popular Mobile Health, Fitness Apps Pose Risks to Consumer Privacy, Study Finds
A new study by California-based Privacy Rights Clearinghouse finds that many of the most popular mobile health and fitness applications carry “considerable privacy risks for users.” According to the study, no-cost mobile health apps pose greater privacy risks than paid apps. FierceMobileHealthcare et al.
ONC, CMS Officials Push Back Against Suggested Delay to Meaningful Use Incentive Program
During a Senate committee hearing last week, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology Farzad Mostashari and Patrick Conway — director of CMS’ Center for Clinical Standards and Quality — pushed back against lawmakers’ calls to delay the meaningful use program. Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record systems can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments. Mostashari said that 1,000 critical-access hospitals in rural areas are expected to achieve meaningful use this year in part because of help from ONC’s regional extension centers. Modern Healthcare et al.
Surveys Show Small-Business Owners Concerned About Implementation of Affordable Care Act
Two new surveys show that small-business owners are growing more concerned about the Affordable Care Act’s implementation, despite the Obama administration’s recent decision to delay the law’s employer mandate. A survey released Wednesday by Sageworks found that two-thirds of 300 accounting professionals who work with small businesses said changes as a result of the ACA are a disincentive for small businesses to expand and hire new employees. Meanwhile, a separate survey from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found that seven out of 10 small business owners said that ACA regulations would hindered their companies’ growth. Washington Post.
Obama Touts Ways the Affordable Care Act Saves Residents Money
In a speech at the White House yesterday, President Obama promoted provisions in the Affordable Care Act that are saving U.S. residents money. He said that U.S. residents have benefited from the ACA’s medical-loss ratio provision and that 2014 insurance rate estimates from states suggest premiums offered through insurance exchanges will be lower than expected. GOP lawmakers criticized Obama’s remarks, saying the ACA is a “train wreck.” Wall Street Journal et al.