Latest California Healthline Stories
Medicare To Adopt New Billing System Intended To Reduce Fraud Cases
The Small Business Lending Act, which recently was signed into law, contains a provision to compel Medicare to do more to prevent fraud. By 2011, CMS must adopt new billing software used in the credit card industry that is designed to identify potentially fraudulent bills. Miami Herald.
HHS Announces Grants for Long-Term Care Programs
This week, HHS announced that it will provide $68 million in grants from the federal health reform law to increase support for elderly and disabled U.S. residents. The grants include funds for counseling, in-home care programs, Medicare outreach and care transition services. HHS’ Administration on Aging and CMS will administer the grants, which primarily will go to states and community-based organizations. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Rep. Baca Says Health Reform Prevents ‘Egregious’ Practices
“Last week, a slate of key patient rights and protections included in the health care reform law went into effect for the American people,” and these “consumer protections, known as the Patients’ Bill of Rights, outlaw some of the most egregious practices of the insurance industry,” Rep. Joe Baca writes in a San Bernardino County Sun opinion piece. Baca writes that under the reform law, “families, patients and doctors — not big insurance companies — will regain control of important health care decisions.” San Bernardino County Sun.
Local IHSS Agencies Not Furnishing Background Checks on Caregivers
A 2008 state law requires local agencies to provide no-cost background checks on In-Home Supportive Services caregivers upon request, but the agencies say the state has yet to issue regulations or provide funding for the law’s implementation. Los Angeles Times, Capitol Weekly.
Statewide Push Aims To Slash Hospital Readmission Rates
A new statewide initiative — called “Avoid Readmissions Through Collaboration” — seeks to cut preventable hospital readmissions by 30% by the end of 2013. Using evidence-based practices, the collaborative will concentrate on patient needs, adapting care practices, and fostering a greater understanding of the discharge and transition process. Becker’s Hospital Review.
Boxer, Fiorina Discuss Health Reform During Radio Debate
In a radio debate, Republican Carly Fiorina — who is challenging Sen. Barbara Boxer — said she would support an effort to repeal the health reform law if elected to Congress. Meanwhile, Boxer said that Republicans have not offered any real plans to replace the reform law if it is repealed, adding that Fiorina’s proposals to rein in federal spending would hit Social Security and Medicare. San Jose Mercury News et al.
Tread Carefully in Setting Up ACOs, CMA CEO Writes
“There is some logic to the stampede” to set up accountable care organizations, which seek to “change the way health care is delivered and paid for,” Dustin Corcoran — CEO of the California Medical Association — writes in a Capitol Weekly opinion piece. Corcoran writes, “There is very real danger” that policymakers and health care leaders could encounter difficulty in the “attempt to consolidate the hospital-physician marketplace,” but CMA “is currently developing a set of criteria that we believe is necessary to ensure that patients accrue real benefit from ACOs and medical foundations.” Capitol Weekly.
Schwarzenegger Takes Action on Rescissions, Other Health Bills
Gov. Schwarzenegger rejected a bill that would have banned certain rescission practices and vetoed another measure that would have limited health plan rate hikes. The governor has yet to act on two health insurance exchange bills. AP/Ventura County Star et al.
Kaiser Permanente To Donate Terminology System for Use in EHRs
Kaiser Permanente recently announced it would provide the international medical community with access to its Convergent Medical Terminology system in an effort to increase the interoperability of clinical codes used in electronic health records. InformationWeek et al.
Governor Signs Bill To Allow Medical Parole for Incapacitated Inmates
Sen. Mark Leno’s SB 1399 authorizes California prisons to grant medical leave to inmates who are physically incapacitated or comatose. Proponents say the measure could reduce state prison health care spending by about $200 million annually. Los Angeles Times et al.