Latest California Healthline Stories
Companies Using Exchanges for Retirees’ Health Coverage
Although fewer companies offer their Medicare-eligible retirees health coverage, some are beginning to help them find and pay for supplementary coverage. Certain employers have begun contracting with companies that operate insurance exchanges, allowing former employees to work with counselors to obtain coverage that replaces the benefits they previously received from their employer. Bruce Richards, chief actuary and quality leader for Mercer’s health care business, said that employers can limit costs and administrative hassles by contracting with exchanges instead of offering retiree health benefits. Kaiser Health News/Washington Post.
Providers Criticize CMS’ Use of Surveys To Judge Care
A new CMS program will tie millions of Medicare dollars to patient experiences, but hospitals and health care providers say that the agency’s patient surveys may not be the best way to assess care quality and provider interactions. Physicians and nurses argue that some of the survey questions conflict with care efforts and that health care systems sometimes cannot provide a pleasant patient experience when treating certain illnesses. Federal officials say the surveys took years to create and are an accurate indicator of quality care. Wall Street Journal.
El Camino Hospital Spends $149,000 To Fight Salary Cap
El Camino Hospital has contributed $149,000 toward efforts to defeat a local ballot initiative that would cap executives’ salaries at twice the amount earned by the governor. The hospital says the cap would negatively affect the quality of care it provides. Bay Citizen.
Sacramento To Ban Outdoor Growing of Medical Marijuana
On Tuesday, the Sacramento City Council voted 8-1 to direct staffers to draft an ordinance that would prohibit the outdoor cultivation of medical marijuana within the city limits. The council also voted to maintain existing location restrictions on medical marijuana dispensaries in Sacramento. Sacramento Bee.
New State Rules Take Aim at Long-Term Care Insurance
Many states — including Alabama, Kansas and Oregon — are implementing new regulations designed to help consumers who encounter problems with long-term care insurance claims. Oregon, for example, has adopted new rules on how to appeal a denial of a long-term care insurance claim. Some insurers have been known to delay or deny payments for such claims. Oregon Public Broadcasting/NPR/Kaiser Health News.
Sacramento County Announces November Launch of LIHP
Sacramento County has announced that it will join the state’s Low Income Health Program in November. LIHP aims to expand health coverage until federal health reform provisions take effect. Sacramento Bee, Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Ventura County Nabs Funds To Expand AIDS Programs
On Tuesday, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved nearly $152,000 in new state funding to expand the county Public Health Department’s AIDS testing and prevention programs. The additional funding also will be used to hire two new staff members. Ventura County Star.
Editorial Urges ‘No’ Vote on L.A. County Condom Mandate
A Los Angeles Times editorial argues that Measure B — which would require all actors in adult films produced in Los Angeles County to use condoms and require adult film studios and producers to obtain health permits — “is well intentioned, but it is likely to stymie county government and bring little benefit to performers.” It adds, “The Times recommends a no vote.” Los Angeles Times.
Health IT Chief To Look Into Use of EHRs To Inflate Medicare Bills
National Coordinator for Health Information Technology Farzad Mostashari said he plans to launch an internal review to determine whether electronic health record systems are prompting some health care providers to inflate their Medicare bills. Center for Public Integrity.
Lawmakers Concerned Over Lack of Details on Malpractice Reforms
Three GOP lawmakers recently sent a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius expressing concern that HHS failed to adequately respond to a previous letter about a lack of details on federal grants aimed at advancing medical malpractice reform. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” CQ Today.