Latest California Healthline Stories
Nursing Shortage Could Grow More Serious as Many Nurses Retire
A nursing education leader says that there is no shortage of prospective nurses but pointed to large numbers of applicants being denied from nursing programs. He said nurse vacancy rates could hit 30% by 2020. American Public Media’s “Marketplace.”
CVS Agrees To Settle Medicaid Fraud Case, Admits No Wrongdoing
The suit alleged that CVS charged Medicaid for a more expensive version of a heartburn medication than it gave to beneficiaries. CVS will pay more than $35 million to the federal government and 23 states, as well as Washington, D.C. Chicago Tribune et al.
CalPERS Suit Against UnitedHealth Group Wins Class-Action Status
CalPERS filed the suit in July 2006 after UnitedHealth Group’s backdating of stock options to company executives drew public attention. An attorney for CalPERS said shareholders lost billions of dollars because the company had to restate earnings. Dow Jones, AP/Sacramento Bee.
Medicare, Medicaid Managed Care Prompt Fraud Concerns
Regulators are boosting scrutiny of the managed care industry in response to new types of fraud popping up as the private sector’s role in delivering Medicare and Medicaid services increases. Such fraud includes shortchanging patients and physicians while collecting preset fees from the government and refusing to enroll unhealthy people. Wall Street Journal.
Central Valley Kids Face Hurdles Accessing Care After Contract Dispute
Children’s Hospital Central California’s cancellation of its contract with Blue Cross of California’s health plans for Medi-Cal and Healthy Families beneficiaries has been especially hard on children in rural areas and from families with limited English proficiency. Fresno Bee.
Wal-Mart Says Health Plans Popular With Employees
Wal-Mart ramped up health insurance offerings last year in the face of criticism from union groups and lawmakers who said the company’s benefits were inadequate. The retailer now offers 50 health benefits packages, including high-deductible plans with premiums as low as $5 per month. More than 600,000 employees are enrolled. NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
Patient Aid Group To Receive Grant From Insurer Settlement
The Health Consumer Alliance, a statewide partnership of patient assistance programs, is set to receive a $500,000 grant from the Department of Managed Health Care. The money comes from an assessment paid by Blue Shield of California for allegedly failing to comply with regulatory decisions regarding patient care and claims payments. Los Angeles Times.
Hospital Quality Site Goes Online in Pennsylvania
Today, the Pennsylvania Health Care Quality Alliance launched a new hospital quality Web site in an effort to help residents make more informed health care choices. The site includes data on quality measures related to heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and health care-associated infections. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Nursing Program Aims To Take on Elder Care Shortage
Organizers believe classes at the Jewish Home for the Aging in Los Angeles will help create a pool of licensed vocational nurses to counter a shortage in geriatric care. Officials hope the on-the-job training program will receive four-year accreditation next month. Los Angeles Daily News.
Appearance-Related Medical Fields Most Competitive
Residency programs in appearance-related medical fields, such as dermatology and plastic surgery, are among the most competitive. Sixty-one percent of seniors at U.S. medical schools whose first choice was dermatology received a residency in that area last year, compared with 98% whose first choice was internal medicine and 99% whose first choice was family medicine, according to a report. New York Times.