Latest California Healthline Stories
Simi Valley Hospital Pays $5.15M Settlement Over Alleged Medicare Fraud
The Department of Justice recently announced that Simi Valley Hospital has paid a $5.15 million settlement over allegations that it fraudulently billed Medicare for psychiatric services. The hospital admitted no wrongdoing as part of the settlement. Ventura County Star.
Governor-Elect Brown Pledges To Start Work on State Budget
This week, Gov.-elect Jerry Brown plans to meet with Republicans and Democrats to begin talks about next year’s budget. Brown has yet to release specific budget proposals, but he said that he is prepared to cut spending. AP/San Diego Union-Tribune et al.
Studies: Low Copays Improve Prescription Drug Adherence
Patients in health plans that require them to pay little to nothing out-of-pocket for their prescriptions are more likely to adhere to medication regimens, according to a pair of studies on value-based insurance design published in the current issue of Health Affairs. Researchers in the first study looked at how Pitney Bowes’ decision to eliminate copayments for anti-cholesterol statins raised employee adherence to the drugs by 2.8%. In the second study, researchers found that reducing copays for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina members increased their adherence to certain treatments by between 1.5% and 3.8%. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Report Finds Drop in Vaccine Rates for Kids in Private Plans
Between 2008 and 2009, vaccination rates for children who are insured through commercial health plans fell by nearly four percentage points, according to a study by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Researchers found that higher-income parents are forgoing vaccines for their children over safety concerns and that the rate of vaccinations among lower-income Medicaid beneficiaries is increasing. HealthDay.
HHS To Provide Support for States To Improve Medicaid IT Systems
Federal officials released a notice of proposed rulemaking outlining how states can obtain increased federal matching funds for improving Medicaid information technology systems. CMS also released guidance to help states implement Medicaid IT systems. Government Health IT et al.
Hospital Group Asks CMS To Address Patient Status Issue
Last week, the American Hospital Association warned CMS that the agency’s policy changes are driving hospitals to place patients in “observation” status for more than 48 hours instead of admitting them. AHA said that it backs national legislation that would allow hospitals to count an observation period exceeding 24 hours toward the three-day inpatient hospital stay required for Medicare coverage in certain nursing facilities. HealthLeaders Media, AHA News.
Hospital Groups Set Up Foundations To Employ Doctors, Pool Resources
Two California-based hospital associations have created not-for-profit organizations designed to help smaller facilities hire physicians. The move aims to cut costs in the wake of the health reform law, but some physician groups oppose such foundations. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
GOP Mulling Tactics To Address Health Reform Law in Congress, States
After gaining control of the House of Representatives and securing several governorships through Tuesday’s elections, Republicans are plotting strategies to withhold funding from the health reform law and to deter implementation of certain provisions within the law. Kaiser Health News, Reuters.
Obama Administration Approves California’s $10B Medi-Cal Waiver
The federal government has approved a Medicaid waiver that will provide California with $10 billion over five years. The state plans to use the waiver to expand coverage, shift Medi-Cal beneficiaries to managed care and support safety-net hospitals. Sacramento Bee et al.
Op-Ed: Safety-Net Coalition Working To Broaden Services
The federal health reform law will make Medi-Cal available for “at least 8,000” individuals in Santa Cruz County, Rama Khalsa — health director for Santa Cruz County — and Pat Meehan — medical director of the Santa Cruz Women’s Health Center — write in a Santa Cruz Sentinel opinion piece. They write that the county’s Safety Net Clinic Coalition “just released a Report to the Community that outlines a new vision to effectively serve all those newly eligible, potentially high-need patients.” They conclude, “[O]ur vision for an effective safety-net system of care can help ensure a stronger, healthier community for all.” Santa Cruz Sentinel.