Latest California Healthline Stories
Calif. Cities Rank Among Best, Worst for Individuals With Disabilities
A new WalletHub report ranks 150 U.S. cities — including 29 in California — on availability of health care, economic environment and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Two California cities — Huntington Beach and Santa Clarita — ranked among the best, while three — Stockton, Moreno Valley and San Bernardino — ranked among the worst. Inland News Today, WalletHub report.
Many Physicians at Cancer Centers Encouraged To Solicit Donations From Patients, Study Finds
Development offices at many major cancer centers are instructing physicians on how to solicit donations from patients as part of fundraising efforts, according to study published on Monday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The researchers found that nearly one-half of physicians had been taught how to identify high-income patients, one-third had been asked to solicit donations for their institution directly — with about half refusing to do so — and 3% had been told they would receive payment if a patient donated. New York Times.
Medicare Paid $30M for ‘Mystery Ambulance Rides’ in 2012
Medicare paid $30 million for ambulance rides that had no records to substantiate that patients received care, according to a report by the HHS Office of Inspector General. Medicare Part B spent $5.8 billion on ambulance trips in 2012, nearly double what it spent in 2003. Besides the $30 million in “mystery ambulance rides,” Medicare also paid $24 million for ambulance rides that did not meet criteria for payment, the report found. AP/New York Times.
HHS’ OIG: Nursing Homes Bill Medicare for More Therapy Than Needed
An HHS Office of Inspector General report finds that Medicare spent $1.1 billion in extra billings in 2012-2013 as some nursing homes sought to “optimize revenues” by providing excess therapy. HHS Inspector General Daniel Levinson suggests reducing Medicare reimbursements for therapy within nursing homes. New York Times.
Calif. Groups Among Recipients of $685M in Grants To Boost Care
HHS has awarded 39 organizations — including four California-based entities — a total of $685 million in grants to help improve patient outcomes and communication. The grants will be used to support various ambulatory programs, including continuing education and training providers on how to use patient data to improve care. Wall Street Journal et al.
Calif., Other States Charge Inmates Copayments for Medical Services
A report by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law finds that state prisons and county jails often charge inmates seeking care copayments ranging from a few dollars to as much as $100. In California, state facilities can charge $5 and county jails can charge $3 per inmate-initiated medical visit. Kaiser Health News, Brennan Center for Justice report.
Report: California’s Adult Smoking Rate Dropped by 50% Since 1988
A California Department of Public Health report finds that the smoking rate among adults in the state fell to 11.7% in 2013, down from 23.7% in 1988, the year the state implemented its Tobacco Control Program. However, the report finds disparities in smoking rates by age, ethnicity, gender and geography. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
San Diego Officials To Urge Health Care Workers To Vaccinate or Wear a Mask This Flu Season
San Diego County health officials plan to strongly encourage health care workers to get vaccinated or wear a mask for the influenza season starting Oct. 1. Last year, San Diego health officials ordered health workers who remained unvaccinated to wear a surgical mask, but officials say it will take time to determine the order’s effectiveness. KPBS.
Los Angeles County Officials Approve Plan To Combine Three Health Departments
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a proposal to combine three separate health agencies — the departments of Public Health, Mental Health and Health Services — into one super agency. Supporters say the move will reduce bureaucracy, improve efficiency and boost care quality, while critics say the new agency will be too large and unable to effectively manage the various programs. Los Angeles Times et al.
California DHCS Director Says Medi-Cal Costs for Undocumented Immigrants Are Fairly Low
California Department of Health Care Services Director Jennifer Kent says the cost for providing Medi-Cal coverage to about one million undocumented immigrants for emergency and pregnancy-related care is relatively low. California lawmakers have debated whether such individuals should be eligible for health benefits, and undocumented children beginning next spring will be able to receive Medi-Cal. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”