Latest California Healthline Stories
A significant portion of the recent reduction in hospital readmission rates can be attributed to more patients being put under observation status, even though in many cases treatment is essentially the same as being an inpatient, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis. Among the roughly 3,500 short-term acute-care hospitals subject to HRRP, readmission rates for penalized conditions dropped by about 9% between 2010 to 2013. Over the same period, follow-up observation-stay rates increased by about 48%. Wall Street Journal.
Covered California Ramps Up Enrollment Efforts Ahead of Deadlines
Covered California is bolstering efforts to enroll consumers during the Affordable Care Act’s third open enrollment period. For example, exchange officials say they will focus enrollment efforts in Los Angeles and have unveiled a map of “hot spots” where they will conduct outreach, including door-to-door and media campaigns. KPCC’s “KPCC News” et al.
Slavitt Defends Performance, Sustainability of State-Run Exchanges
During a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing yesterday, Republican lawmakers questioned the cost and sustainability of some state-run health insurance exchanges. Acting CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt said some state exchanges have faced financial struggles, but “plenty of adjustments” have been made to ensure the exchanges’ success. Modern Healthcare et al.
Reports Ranks Calif. 23rd on Several Health Care Measures
A report by the Commonwealth Fund ranks California 23rd in the country based on 42 measures related to health care access, costs, outcomes and quality. For example, the report notes that 17% of adults ages 19 to 64 and 6% of children up to age 18 were uninsured in California. Forum News Service/St. Paul Pioneer Press, Commonwealth Fund report.
Number of U.S. Residents Facing Difficulty Paying Medical Bills Falls
CDC data show the number of U.S. residents who had difficulty paying medical bills decreased by 12 million from the first half of 2011 through the first half of 2015. According to the data, the largest declines in the number of individuals who had difficulty paying medical bills occurred among low-income individuals. AP/Los Angeles Times.
Calif. Lawmaker Questions Unspent Charitable Funds
On Wednesday, California Sen. Bob Hertzberg, chair of the Senate Governance and Finance Committee, plans to hold a hearing examining $10 million in unspent charitable donations made by taxpayers. Of that, $237,000 was raised to fund colorectal cancer screenings, but the state departments of Public Health and Health Care Services said they were not authorized to spend the money. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Blue Shield Saves $325M Over Five Years Through ACOs
On Tuesday, Blue Shield of California announced that together with its partners, the insurer saved more than $325 million in the last five years through accountable care organizations, which share information, risk and savings. Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurers and health care providers are encouraged to work together in ACOs in an attempt to reduce costs. Sacramento Business Journal.
California Programs Receive Grants To Bolster Health Care Services
Programs and organizations in several California counties have received grants to bolster health care services. For example, Alameda County received a $3.9 million grant from the California Health Facilities Financing Authority to expand its mental health programs. San Jose Mercury News et al.
Some hospitals and health systems are assessing and adjusting their prices to make them more competitive in a market that is increasingly requiring patients to pay more out-of-pocket for their health care. The price reviews are connected in part to a rise in the prevalence of high-deductible health plans. As a result, individuals are increasingly scrutinizing the costs of services they have to pay for themselves. Modern Healthcare.
Health Care Industry Added More Than 23K Jobs in Nov.
The health care industry created 23,800 jobs in November, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data published Friday. According to the data, hospitals hired 13,400 individuals in November, while nursing and residential care providers hired 6,200 individuals last month. Meanwhile, ambulatory settings, such as physician offices and outpatient clinics, hired 4,200 individuals in November. Modern Healthcare.