Latest California Healthline Stories
Employer-Based Health Coverage Rates Falling Across U.S., Study Finds
A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report finds that the number of U.S. and California residents with job-based health coverage fell between 1999-2000 and 2008-2009. A second report predicts that the health reform law could curtail that trend. San Diego Union-Tribune et al.
Report: Health Industry Would Be Hardest Hit by Quake in Southern Calif.
A Bureau of Labor Statistics report finds that a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Southern California could exert the most damage on the health care industry. Such a quake would affect nearly 522,000 health workers, the report finds. Whittier Daily News, Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
Report: Employers Rethinking Health Coverage for Retirees
More than 40% of employers are contemplating ending group health plans for retirees who do not yet qualify for Medicare because of the federal health reform law, according to a report by Towers Watson and the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists. The report notes that the employers intend to encourage pre-Medicare retirees to purchase coverage through the state-based health insurance exchanges that launch in 2014. U.S. News & World Report.
One-Fifth of Insurance Claims Are Processed Improperly, AMA Finds
An American Medical Association report finds that commercial health insurers had an average claims processing error rate of 19.3% this year, a 2% increase from last year. Such errors contribute to about $17 billion annually in unnecessary administrative costs. Modern Healthcare et al.
Opinion: HIV/AIDS Affects Families, Community
In an Oakland Tribune opinion piece, William Olson — medical director of UnitedHealthcare of California — writes that HIV/AIDS “is a family issue that we can’t afford to ignore. It affects not only the person living with the virus, but the entire family and, ultimately, our entire community.” He adds, “This is especially true in California, which has among the highest infection rates of any state in the nation.” National HIV Testing Day will take place on Monday, and Olson writes that it is “a good reminder to turn our attention to the ways HIV/AIDS affects our families, as well as our community.” Oakland Tribune.
CalPERS Awards $575M Annual Contract to CVS Caremark for Rx Benefits
Although CVS Caremark recently faced allegations that it defrauded CalPERS under a previous contract, the pension system has signed a new $575 million annual contract with Caremark to provide prescription drug benefits to about 346,000 CalPERS members. Los Angeles Times et al.
Anthem To Settle Lawsuit, Limit Certain Health Plan Rate Hikes
To settle a lawsuit, Anthem Blue Cross has agreed to limit rate hikes for policyholders whose plans were closed to new members. Anthem also announced that it will halve rate hikes for some businesses. Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Business Times.
McKinsey Unveils Details of Study on Employer-Based Health Coverage
After numerous requests from lawmakers, McKinsey & Company has revealed the methodology it used in a study finding that 30% or more of businesses plan to drop employer-sponsored health coverage because of the federal health reform law. Wall Street Journal‘s “Health Blog” et al.
New HIV Cases Drop Among Gay, Bisexual California Men
The rate of new HIV cases among gay and bisexual men in California has declined slightly in recent years, according to a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. For the study, researchers calculated rates of new HIV diagnoses at testing sites run by the California Department of Public Health. The study found that rates of new HIV diagnoses increased from 2% of gay and bisexual California men in 1997 to 2.4% in 2003, before dropping down to 1.9% in 2006. Reuters.
HHS Aims To Increase Awareness of No-Cost Preventive Services
Yesterday, HHS launched a campaign to boost awareness of the availability of no-cost preventive services for Medicare beneficiaries under the health reform law. CMS says better use of preventive services could lead to earlier treatment and, ultimately, lower costs. Washington Post, Reuters.