Latest California Healthline Stories
Allstate Sues Doctors for Allegedly Running Sham Prescription Businesses
The insurance company and the state of California have filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit in Fresno County Superior Court against physicians and chiropractors for allegedly creating fraudulent medical corporations and illegally doling out prescriptions. Fresno Bee.
Study Looks for Causes of Longer Stays in Hospice Care
Medicare beneficiaries’ length of stay in nursing home care settings has doubled from 1999 to 2006, and researchers say higher reimbursement rates incentivize health care facilities to accommodate longer stays, according to a study published in the August issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The number of hospice facilities also has increased by 50% with the increased use of hospice services. The researchers recommend a tiered payment system be created to address policy concerns raised by long lengths of stay. HealthLeaders Media.
Officials Arrest 94 for $251M in Alleged Medicare Fraud
Last week, federal officials charged 94 physicians, nurses and clinic owners in at least five states for allegedly attempting to defraud Medicare of $251 million in total, marking the largest federal crackdown on health care fraud in U.S. history. The arrests reflect new federal crime prevention and prosecution strategies that are intended to help fund the recent health reform law. According to federal authorities, Medicare fraud costs U.S. taxpayers between $60 billion and $90 billion annually. Reuters, AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Judge Denies Gov.’s Bid To Pay State Workers Minimum Wage
State workers will receive full wages for at least the next two months after a Superior Court judge denied Gov. Schwarzenegger’s request to compel Controller John Chiang to cut hourly employees’ pay to the federal minimum wage. Sacramento Bee et al.
In Reversal, Democrats Defend Mandate To Buy Health Coverage as Tax
The Obama administration is arguing that the individual mandate to buy health insurance is legal under Congress’ power to levy taxes. The administration said the mandate was not a tax during earlier debates over health reform. New York Times, Washington Times.
Report Assesses California’s Primary Care Physician Needs
Almost 30% of California’s physicians are older than age 60, and their looming retirement coupled with increased demand for services expected under health care reform could limit patients’ access to care, a new report from the California HealthCare Foundation concludes. The report notes that the number of primary care physicians also is decreasing and that the state is growing increasingly dependent on physicians trained in foreign and out-of-state schools. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Villines Declared Winner in GOP Primary for State Insurance Commissioner
On Friday, officials announced that Assembly member Mike Villines defeated Department of Insurance lawyer Brian FitzGerald in the Republican primary for insurance commissioner. Villines will face Democratic Assembly member Dave Jones in the fall. Los Angeles Times et al.
Health Insurance Firms Offering More Limited Plans To Reduce Costs
Some health insurance companies are starting to offer plans that limit the number of health care providers from which enrollees can choose. The limited plans offer lower premiums and are aimed at businesses saddled with high health care costs. New York Times.
Grants Provide Job Training for Health Care Work Force
The not-for-profit Youth Policy Institute has enrolled about 400 Los Angeles County residents in training programs that place them in area health care facilities. The institute is one of eight California groups to receive federal stimulus funding to offer no-cost instruction and paid internships for medical assistants, pharmacy technicians and certified nursing assistants. Los Angeles Times.
Physicians Weighing Benefits, Risks of Prescribing Avandia
Physicians are grappling with whether to prescribe GlaxoSmithKline’s diabetes drug Avandia after an FDA panel voted to keep the medication on the market despite safety concerns. Many doctors are wary of prescribing the medication, especially for patients whose diabetes is newly diagnosed. However, some physicians say the situation is different for patients currently taking Avandia and responding well to the treatment. NPR’s “All Things Considered.”