Latest California Healthline Stories
Medicare EHR Incentive Program Vulnerable to Abuse, Report Finds
A new report by HHS’ Office of Inspector General states that federal officials have not established adequate safeguards to ensure the accuracy of the information that health care providers submit for Medicare’s electronic health record incentive program. Modern Healthcare et al.
Report Touts Hospitals’ Effect on Solano County Economy
Solano County’s five privately operated hospitals are responsible for more than 11% of the county’s economy and could have an even greater effect in the future, according to a new study by Economic Forensics and Analytics. The hospitals pay nearly $319 million in annual wages to 4,085 employees, and their annual revenue represents more than 7% of the total revenue generated by Solano County businesses. Sacramento Business Journal.
Voters Support Certain Taxes, Oppose Raising Medicare Eligibility Age
A new poll finds that more than 60% of registered voters support President Obama’s plan to raise taxes on individuals with annual incomes of more than $250,000, while 69% oppose a proposal to raise the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 67. The Hill‘s “Blog Briefing Room” et al.
Judge Orders Tobacco Firms To Admit to Lies on Dangers of Smoking
A U.S. district judge has ordered tobacco companies to publish statements informing the public that they had lied about the dangers of smoking and outlining the health effects of cigarettes. The tobacco firms have the option to appeal the ruling. AP/Los Angeles Times et al.
UnitedHealth’s 2013 Earnings Outlook Lower Than Expected
UnitedHealth Group has issued a lower-than-expected 2013 profit outlook amid concerns about the economy and potential cuts in federal health spending. The insurer estimated that 2013 earnings will be $5.25 to $5.50 a share, slightly below the average analyst estimate of $5.58 a share. However, the health plan’s projection that 2013 annual revenue will be as much as $124 billion was higher than analysts’ estimate of $119 billion. Los Angeles Times.
MemorialCare Health System Seeks To Launch Health Plan
On Tuesday, Fountain Valley-based MemorialCare Health System announced that it filed an application with the California Department of Managed Care to license Seaside Health Plan, a new plan it formed after acquiring assets from Long Beach-based Universal Care. Seaside will cover Medi-Cal beneficiaries and participate in the state Children’s Services demonstration project focused on pediatric care. Modern Healthcare.
Leapfrog Gives 40% of California Hospitals Grades of C or Lower
A new Leapfrog Group report card gives about 40% of 246 California hospitals a grade of C or lower for patient safety. Meanwhile, it gives 92 state hospitals an A grade and 56 state hospitals a B grade. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules,” Los Angeles Times.
Report: Nearly 10% of U.S. Residents Receive Care Through an ACO
A study by consulting firm Oliver Wyman finds that nearly 10% of U.S. residents are receiving health care through an accountable care organization. The report predicts that the number of ACOs in the U.S. will increase over the next several years. Forbes, Healthcare Finance News.
High Breast Cancer Rates Found in Four Calif. Regions
Breast cancer rates in four California regions — two in the Bay Area and two in Southern California — were 10% to 20% higher than the state average from 2000 to 2008, according to a new study from the California Breast Cancer Mapping Project. An official from the Breast Cancer Fund — which aims to identify environmental causes of breast cancer — said the report raises important questions. San Jose Mercury News.
Patients Want Some Control Over EHRs, Study Finds
Patients want to maintain some control over the privacy of their electronic health records, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. Researchers found that more than 75% of surveyed patients were willing to share their entire EHR with a primary care provider but were less willing to share such data with other health care providers like pharmacists and specialists. Clinical Innovation & Technology.