Latest California Healthline Stories
Wal-Mart To Offer Employees Coverage for Some Surgeries
Beginning in January 2013, Wal-Mart Stores will cover cardiac and spinal surgeries for more than one million U.S. employees and dependents through bundled payment agreements with six U.S. hospitals. Wal-Mart also will cover the cost of travel, lodging and food at the hospitals for the patient and one caregiver. Wal-Mart expects the program to reduce health costs. Reuters et al.
Concerns Raised Over California’s Gap in C. Difficile Reporting
Patient advocates are concerned about a gap in California’s reporting of Clostridium difficile. California hospitals must report cases of C. difficile to the state, but other facilities, such as nursing homes, are not required to do so. Stockton Record.
Frequent ED Users Not Abusing System, Studies Find
The common assumption that patients who frequent emergency departments are abusing the system is a misconception, according to a series of studies presented at a recent American College of Emergency Physicians meeting. Researchers at hospitals in California and four other states reviewed the health needs of patients who visited EDs frequently in set periods of time and found that these patients accounted for just 2.1% to 19.9% of all ED patients. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules,” MedPage Today.
Calif. Group Launches Patient-Centered Medical Home Initiative
The California Primary Care Association has launched an initiative to create patient-centered medical homes in California. As part of the effort, CPCA members will have access to an online portal and data management and analytics tools. Modern Physician, Payers & Providers.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of October 12, 2012
The California Nurses Association/National Nurses United has ratified a new three-year contract with Mills-Peninsula Health Services. John Muir Health and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital are partnering on an effort to offer children’s specialty services in Contra Costa County.
CalPERS Considers 85% Rate Hike for Most Long-Term Care Policies
CalPERS is weighing an 85% rate hike for 115,000 long-term care beneficiaries. The premium increase would be phased in over two years. CalPERS’ board will vote on the proposal next week. Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento Bee.
Blue Shield of Calif. Launches New Telehealth Initiative
Blue Shield of California has partnered with Dallas-based Teladoc to provide telehealth services to 350,000 CalPERS members. Under the initiative, CalPERS members will be able to receive online consultations from state-based, board-certified physicians, as well as obtain short-term prescriptions for certain types of medications. Healthcare Informatics.
Lawyer Warns Employers of ACA Compliance Pitfalls
At a recent seminar for Sacramento employers, Peter Marathas — a partner at Proskauer Rose, an employee benefit and compensation law firm — outlined some of the potential Affordable Care Act compliance pitfalls for employers. Sacramento Business Journal.
Candidates Spar Over Health Issues in Vice Presidential Debate
During last night’s debate, Vice President Biden criticized a GOP Medicare proposal that he said would “voucherize” the program, while Rep. Paul Ryan blasted the $716 billion in Medicare reductions included in the Affordable Care Act. Los Angeles Times‘ “Politics Now” et al.
Medicare Beneficiaries Overspend on Rx Drug Coverage, Study Finds
A new Health Affairs study finds that most Medicare beneficiaries pay hundreds of dollars more than necessary for prescription drug coverage. Beneficiaries might be overspending because of confusing details about available plans. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules” et al.