Latest California Healthline Stories
Reform Law Could Curb Healthy San Francisco’s Enrollment by Up to 60%
After the federal health reform law is fully implemented, as many as 60% of the 55,000 Healthy San Francisco enrollees could qualify for Medi-Cal or other programs. However, city officials say many uninsured residents will continue to rely on the program. San Francisco Examiner.
CVS Unit To Pay $17.5M Over Alleged Medicaid Overbilling
Last week, Department of Justice officials announced that CVS Caremark has agreed to pay $17.5 million to settle allegations it overcharged Medicaid in 10 states, including California. According to the suit, the company’s pharmacy outlets overbilled individuals covered by Medicaid and other third-party insurers between October 2002 and the end of 2010. CVS Caremark said it “did not intentionally overcharge any state Medicaid program.” AP/Miami Herald, Modern Healthcare.
High Deductibles Anticipated in Health Benefit Exchanges
Deductibles for minimum coverage in the state health insurance exchanges created under the federal health reform law could be substantial, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report released last week. According to the analysis, deductibles for the lowest-cost individual plan could range from $2,750 with a 30% copayment once the deductible is met to $6,350 with no copay. Family deductibles could range from $5,500 to $12,700, the report found. Modern Healthcare.
CalPERS in Talks With Rx Benefits Firm Facing Allegations of Fraud
After canceling contract talks with Medco Health Solutions, CalPERS started negotiating a pharmacy benefits contract with Caremark Rx. However, Caremark currently is facing a lawsuit for allegedly defrauding the pension system. Los Angeles Times.
State Lifts Hiring Freeze at Mental Health Care Facilities
On Friday, California Health and Human Services Secretary Diana Dooley said she is removing a hiring freeze at the state’s mental hospitals to address concerns about violence. The action provides an exception to a statewide hiring freeze on vacant positions imposed by Gov. Brown. According to Cindy Radavsky — deputy director of long-term care services at the California Department of Mental Health — about 25 positions at Napa State Hospital will be the first positions filled. Los Angeles Times.
Tulare County Residents Face Dearth of Medi-Cal Providers
Thirty-five percent of Tulare County residents are enrolled in Medi-Cal, more than any other county in the state. However, health care professionals say there are not enough physicians who accept Medi-Cal patients. Lower reimbursement rates compared with private insurance can deter physicians from seeing Medi-Cal patients, according to advocates. Visalia Times-Delta.
Study: San Francisco’s Early Treatment Policy Could Curb HIV Cases
The rate of new HIV cases among men who have sex with men in San Francisco could decline by more than 60% over the next eight years if physicians and patients widely accepted the city’s new early treatment policy for HIV, according to a new study. San Francisco Chronicle.
Medicare Cost-Cutting Board Faces Mounting Opposition in Congress
Opposition to a panel tasked with recommending cuts to Medicare expenditures is growing. Opponents say the federal health reform law provision that created the Independent Payment Advisory Board cedes congressional authority to unelected officials. CQ Today et al.
AHRQ: Hospitalizations From Medication Errors on the Rise
The number of hospitalizations related to medication errors increased by more than 50% from 2004 to 2008, according to a recent statistical brief from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Using data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, AHRQ found that adverse drug events caused about 1.9 million hospitalizations in 2008, up by 52% from 1.2 million hospitalizations in 2004. New York Times‘ “Well,” MedPage Today.
Many Newly Approved In-Home Care Changes Stem From SEIU Memo
When the Legislature approved changes to California’s In-Home Supportive Services program last month, lawmakers rejected some of Gov. Brown’s proposals and instead incorporated several ideas included in a memo by the Service Employees International Union. Sacramento Bee.