Latest California Healthline Stories
Calif. Physician Groups Eye Health IT To Coordinate Care
The California Association of Physician Groups is collaborating with health information technology provider Health Access Solutions to prepare physician practices for the establishment of accountable care organizations. As part of the partnership, CAPG will provide its 150 physician group members with access to a multidisciplinary care coordination platform developed by Health Access Solutions. Healthcare IT News.
Grants To Help L.A. Clinics Adopt Medical Home Model
On Wednesday, L.A. Care Health Plan said it will provide $600,000 to help 11 Los Angeles County community health clinics adopt the patient-centered medical home model. The two-year project aims to help the clinics provide ongoing primary care services for their communities. Payers & Providers.
California Hospitals Face Deadline for Submitting Seismic Safety Updates
More than 225 hospitals have until Monday to update their plans for compliance with state earthquake safety standards. Beginning this year, all California hospitals must submit annual reports on their efforts to repair or replace at-risk buildings. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Killing of Hospital Worker Raises Questions on Safety
California officials and health workers are calling for increased safety protections at psychiatric hospitals after a patient with mental illness allegedly killed a psychiatric technician at Napa State Hospital over the weekend. The California Association for Psychiatric Technicians said it is pushing for changes in how hospitals protect workers. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Report: High-Deductible Health Plans Can Lead to Delays in Care
A new report finds that many Californians with high-deductible health plans cite costs as a reason for delaying care. The report also finds that most high-deductible health plan enrollees do not use health savings accounts. San Bernardino County Sun.
CDC Advisory Panel Adjusts Whooping Cough Guidance
On Wednesday, CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended that adults ages 65 and older — as well as adolescents and other adults whose vaccine history is not known — receive the Tdap shot to protect against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, or whooping cough. So far this year in California, more than 6,000 individuals have been infected with whooping cough and 10 infants have died from the disease. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now,” Reuters.
Most Facilities Submit First Round of Newly Imposed Hospital Fee
According to the Department of Health Care Services, most of California’s 430 acute care hospitals paid the first round of a new fee designed to draw down federal Medi-Cal funds. However, about 20 hospitals failed to submit all or part of the first fee payment. Payers & Providers.
Ventura County Health Plan To Expand Medicare Coverage
On Tuesday, Ventura County supervisors voted unanimously to offer supplemental Medicare coverage to retired county government workers older than age 65. Coverage in the Ventura County Health Care Plan is slated to begin in January, and only individuals who currently receive coverage through the county are eligible to enroll. The plan also will cover dependents who are eligible for Medicare. Ventura County Star.
Lawsuit Alleges Safety Issues at Santa Clara Medical Center
Last week, two physicians and a medical assistant filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in San Jose alleging that “substandard care” led to several patient deaths at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and that employees are discriminated against for speaking out. Santa Clara County Executive Jeff Smith said internal and external investigations determined that there were no patient deaths as a result of negligence and that there was no evidence of detrimental care. San Jose Mercury News.
Medicare Concerns Could Influence Midterm Elections
Concern over how the federal health reform law could affect Medicare benefits has prompted some elderly U.S. residents to reconsider voting for supporters of the overhaul during upcoming midterm elections, according to political analysts. Experts say elderly U.S. residents could be crucial in elections for 28 of the 46 Democratic-held House seats that the Cook Political Report considers “tossup” races. Kaiser Health News/USA Today.