Latest California Healthline Stories
Fresno Using ‘Social Impact Bond’ To Target Asthma Rate
Fresno has launched a health care-related “social impact bond” program — the first of its kind in the U.S. — that uses a pay-for-success model to reward investors when a benchmark is reached. Under the Fresno program — which is being funded by the California Endowment — investors will be rewarded if the city’s high rate of chronic asthma is reduced. Reuters.
Newly Formed Panel Seeks To Help Shape Medicare Reform Efforts
A group of health policy experts have formed a private, independent advisory board, called the Partnership for the Future of Medicare, that aims to provide new research on Medicare and offer strategies to help policymakers reform the federal health program. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Arch Health Partners Named Top Physician Group
Arch Health Partners of North County has been named by Integrated Healthcare Association as one of California’s “top performing” physician groups for 2011, based on several quality guidelines. It is the third year that the association has designated Arch Health — an affiliate of Palomar Health in North County — as a top performer. Integrated Healthcare Association also recognized the group for improving its quality results from year to year. U-T San Diego.
House Bill Would Limit Document Requests in Medicare Fraud Cases
A bipartisan group of four House members have introduced a bill — The Medicare Audit Improvement Act — that would limit the documents that Medicare contractors can seek from hospitals when investigating Medicare fraud. The lawmakers say the bill would reduce the burden of audits on hospitals. The Hill‘s “Floor Action Blog.”
Democrats Using Little-Known ACA Provision To Criticize Opponents
Democrats in some House races are running advertisements suggesting that their GOP opponents are attempting to repeal the Affordable Care Act in order to skirt an ACA provision requiring congressional members to obtain coverage through health insurance exchanges. New York Times.
Kaiser EHR Study Finds Few Patients Exercise Regularly
A study of 1.8 million Kaiser Permanente patients in Southern California between April 2010 and March 2011 found that 86% of patients had their exercise habits included in their electronic health records. However, the study found that only one-third of those patients were meeting national guidelines for physical activity. Payers & Providers.
Managed Risk Medical Insurance Plan To Cut Premiums in 2013
The Managed Risk Medical Insurance Program will decrease premiums by an average of 12% in 2013. A bill signed by Gov. Brown last month allows MRMIP to subsidize rates to help curb disenrollment resulting from premium changes. Sacramento Business Journal.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of October 19, 2012
Memorial Medical Center employees are preparing for possible staff reductions or job relocations as the hospital streamlines operations and opens a new administrative services center. Seton Medical Center and Daughters of Charity Health System have contributed $885,868 to a campaign for a half-cent sales tax increase.
Brown & Toland, Cigna Team Up for San Francisco ACO
Brown & Toland Physicians in San Francisco and Cigna are working to establish an accountable care organization aimed at improving care quality and reducing costs. Officials from the organizations say it will be the first ACO involving a commercial health plan to launch in San Francisco. Payers & Providers.
Board of Rural Health Care District Votes To File for Bankruptcy
The Mendocino Coast Health Care District board has voted to enter into a chapter nine bankruptcy protection filing because of a projected negative operating margin of nearly 6%. Observers say that the move highlights the difficulties that rural health care providers face in the state. Payers & Providers.