Latest California Healthline Stories
Calif. Health Officials Urge Doctors To Look Out for Measles
California public health officials are urging doctors to consider measles as a possible diagnosis when symptoms, such as a rash and fever, are present and to contact their local public health department. The warning comes after an outbreak linked to Disneyland sickened 125 individuals earlier this year. Ventura County Star.
Study: More Than 33% of Diabetes Cases Are Undiagnosed
More than one-third of U.S. diabetes cases likely go undiagnosed, according to a study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Further, about half of all U.S. adults have been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes as of 2012. The study found that between 12% and 14% of U.S. adults had been diagnosed with diabetes by 2012. In most of those cases, individuals were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, which has been linked with inactivity and obesity. In comparison, about 10% of U.S. adults had been diagnosed with diabetes in the early 1990s. AP/Washington Times, Reuters.
ACOs Struggle To Access, Use Out-of-Network Data
Accountable care organizations continue to face challenges accessing data outside of their networks, according to a survey published this week by the eHealth Initiative. The survey found that the top challenges facing the participating ACOs were accessing out-of-network data, cited by 78% of respondents, and data integration, cited by 62% of respondents. Politico‘s “Morning eHealth.”
Federal Judge Allows House GOP Lawsuit Against ACA To Advance
A federal judge has ruled that House Republicans have legal standing to pursue a lawsuit over allegations that the Obama administration violated the Constitution by making changes to the Affordable Care Act. However, the judge dismissed the challenge to the administration’s delay of the ACA’s employer mandate because it did not involve the direct spending authority of the House. Wall Street Journal et al.
Diagnoses of Chronic Conditions Could Rise as More Gain Insurance
A new study finds that the Affordable Care Act’s coverage expansion could spur a rise in diagnoses of chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. According to the study, newly insured individuals are more likely to be properly diagnosed with such illnesses. HealthDay/U.S. News & World Report, Health Affairs.
DMHC Doles Out $120K in Fines to Five California Health Plans
The California Department of Managed Health Care has issued fines against five health plans — Anthem Blue Cross, Care1st, Health Net, L.A. Care Health Plan and Molina Healthcare — following a recent audit. The audit comes after Accountable Health Care IPA, a Signal Hill-based medical group, reached a settlement with DHMC in 2012 for allegedly conducting illegal utilization reviews and making medical necessity decisions for insurers. Payers & Providers.
Stakeholders Call for Action on Medical Marijuana Regulations
On Wednesday, a group of stakeholders sent a letter to California Democrats urging action on legislation to establish statewide medical marijuana regulations. The letter comes after lawmakers confirmed last week that Gov. Brown’s administration will step in to help negotiate disagreements in the Legislature about such regulations. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” UFCW release.
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cucumbers From San Diego Distributor Sickens 341 Individuals
CDC officials say a salmonella outbreak linked to imported cucumbers from Mexico has sickened 341 people in 30 states, including two deaths of people in California and Texas. Officials say most of the cases have occurred in California, where 71 people are ill. San Diego-based Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce, which distributes the cucumbers, has recalled all cucumbers sold under its Limited Edition brand label between Aug. 1 and Sept. 3 due to potential contamination. Los Angeles Times.
California Assembly Approves Physician-Assisted Death Bill
Yesterday, the California Assembly passed a bill that would legalize physician-assisted death in the state. The bill now returns to the full Senate, which is expected to endorse the measure. Gov. Brown has not indicated whether he would sign or veto the legislation. San Jose Mercury News et al.
Report: ACA Enrollment Database Not Properly Tested
A report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration finds that IRS failed to properly test the Coverage Data Repository, which houses Affordable Care Act enrollment data, before the 2015 tax season started. As a result, the agency increased risks to management controls, security and systems development. The Hill, FCW.