Latest California Healthline Stories
A new report from Consumer Reports touts Covered California’s standardized health benefits, saying the exchange “eliminated much of the confusion” around purchasing health plans. “While the Affordable Care Act established plans that differ in generosity of benefits … it did not require consumer cost sharing within those tiers to be identical. Covered California chose to standardize cost sharing within each tier,” the report notes. Tampa Bay Times.
Survey: Workplace Injuries, Illnesses Reach 13-Year Low in California
A survey conducted by the California Department of Industrial Relations and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics finds that the number of workplace injuries and illnesses in the state last year reached its lowest level in 13 years. In 2014, 460,700 workplace injuries and illnesses were reported, compared with 694,100 in 2002. Business Insurance, Insurance Journal.
MCO Tax Replacement Efforts Ongoing, Could Extend to 2016
Efforts to replace California’s expiring managed care organization tax are ongoing as state lawmakers have scheduled an informational hearing on the issue for Dec. 1. However, some observers say a deal may not be reached until mid-2016, when the tax is scheduled to expire. Kaiser Health News.
ACA Primary Care Provider Program Ends; Medicare Payments To Fall
Many primary care physicians will receive lower Medicare payments in 2016 as a bonus program established under the Affordable Care Act expires at the end of this year. Physician trade groups have lobbied to extend the Primary Care Incentive Payment Program, which provides a 10% bonus for PCPs who treat Medicare beneficiaries. Kaiser Health News.
CMS To Create Long-Term Care Hospital Patient Satisfaction Survey
CMS has released a notice seeking feedback on a new patient satisfaction survey to collect more information about the quality of care Medicare beneficiaries receive at long-term care hospitals. Providers so far have expressed mixed reaction to the proposal. Modern Healthcare.
UC-San Francisco’s Fresno Campus Receives $1M To Create Center on Aging
The Larry L. Hillblom Foundation has donated $1 million to UC-San Francisco’s Fresno campus to help create a center on aging to serve the central San Joaquin Valley. The center will aim to bring together health providers and geriatrics experts to provide coordinated care for elderly patients. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Solano County Officials Approve Plan To Create New Medical Services Division
On Tuesday, Solano County’s Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a plan to reorganize the county’s Department of Health and Social Services. The reorganization will divide the Public Health Division, creating two separate divisions for public health and medical services. Daily Republic.
Covered California To Post Vision Plans on Exchange Website
Covered California has issued a request for proposals for vision plans interested in selling coverage to exchange consumers. According to the RFP, Covered California will not sell vision coverage directly on the exchange and instead will host links to websites of different vision plans. Sacramento Business Journal.
Pharmacies Increasingly Offer Incentives to Customers Willing To Share Personal Health Data
Pharmacies increasingly are offering discounts and bonuses to customers who are willing to share their personal health data, such as daily change in weight, progress in smoking cessation and real-time location. Paul Stephens, director of policy and advocacy at the not-for-profit Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, said the trend is “extremely concerning.” He noted that consumers are giving up “very, very valuable” data and leaving themselves open to advertisements about specific medical conditions for modest discounts. STAT News.
Newly Elected La. Governor Supports Medicaid Expansion
John Bel Edwards, who on Saturday won a runoff election to become Louisiana’s next governor, has said he wants to expand the state’s Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act. Current Gov. Bobby Jindal, who is leaving office after reaching a state-mandated term limit, has opposed Medicaid expansion. AP/Sacramento Bee, AP/Modern Healthcare.