Latest California Healthline Stories
Sutter To Add 500 Jobs at Mather Field Location
On Wednesday, Sacramento County officials said that Sutter Health expects to add 500 jobs to its Mather Field campus. The officials and Jackson Properties said that Sutter signed a lease on a 111,000 square-foot office, which will be used to expand the organization’s information services operations. Sacramento Bee.
Study Finds That 11% of Calif. Kids Lacked Health Insurance in 2011
A study finds that about 11% of state children were uninsured in 2011, a higher rate than the U.S. average. It finds that more than 75% of those children were eligible for Medi-Cal or Healthy Families. Los Angeles Times, California HealthCare Foundation release.
Anthem, UC Announce Project Focused on Health Care Policy
On Tuesday, Anthem Blue Cross of California and the University of California announced a collaboration — known as the California Health Alliance — that will focus on developing health care policy and improving access to care in California. UC’s medical schools and health professional schools will participate in the project, which aims to develop research, policy and best practices on improving the health care system. Payers & Providers, Sacramento Business Journal.
Insurer, Five Providers Form ACO Group for UC Workers
Health Net of California and five San Francisco area health care providers have entered into an accountable care organization-like arrangement for University of California employees who reside or work in and around the Bay Area. The participating providers are Hill Physicians Medical Group, UCSF Medical Center, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, St. Mary’s Medical Center and Saint Francis Memorial Hospital. Officials said the arrangement aims to improve care quality, reduce costs and boost patient-provider communications. Modern Physician.
Santa Monica Proposal for Well-Being Index Selected for Contest
A proposal by Santa Monica officials to develop a well-being index has been chosen by Bloomberg Philanthropies as a finalist for its grant contest. The plan involves tracking various measures, such as residents’ physical health. Los Angeles Times, Forbes.
More Employers Using High-Deductible Health Insurance
As they prepare for key provisions of the Affordable Care Act to take effect, employers increasingly are turning to high-deductible health plans with incentives that encourage workers to play a larger role in managing their own health. Some employers say workers’ health and the overall health care system would benefit from employees being more proactive about their health care, such as by researching the best hospitals and physicians and shopping for deals on services. Wall Street Journal.
Molina Healthcare Sees 82% Drop in Q3 2012 Net Income
Molina Healthcare — a Long Beach-based Medicaid managed care plan — recently reported net income of $3.4 million in the third quarter of 2012, an 82% drop from Q3 2011. However, the company reported a 32% increase in revenue from last year to $1.54 billion in Q3 2012. Payers & Providers.
Clinton Foundation Launching Calif. Health Disparities Project
The William J. Clinton Foundation plans to launch an initiative to reduce health care disparities and preventable diseases in California’s Coachella Valley. The intiative includes parternships with companies like General Electric, Tenet Healthcare and Verizon. Reuters.
Exchange Officials Seek To Clear Up Uncertainty About Coverage Options
State health insurance exchange officials are working to remove uncertainty about coverage options through marketing and outreach efforts. In addition to traditional marketing, officials are planning grass-roots initiatives at churches, cultural events and schools. Los Angeles Times.
Skilled Nursing Facilities Sent Incorrect Medicare Claims, Report Finds
HHS’ Office of Inspector General has found that one-quarter of all Medicare claims submitted by skilled nursing facilities in 2009 included errors. Most of those claims were “upcoded,” resulting in Medicare paying $1.5 billion more than necessary. Modern Healthcare et al.