Latest California Healthline Stories
California DOI Awards $34.9M To Help Fight Workers’ Comp Fraud
The California Department of Insurance has awarded more than $34 million in grants to district attorney offices across the state to help law enforcement identify and prosecute fraud in the state’s workers’ compensation program during fiscal year 2015-2016. Gilroy Patch et al.
HHS To Double-Down on Efforts To Investigate Medical Identity Theft With DOJ, FBI
A rise in medical identity theft has prompted HHS to redouble joint investigations into such abuses with the FBI and Department of Justice. Data from a Ponemon Institute survey show the number of patients affected by medical identity theft increased from 1.4 million in 2009 to 2.3 million in 2014. Wall Street Journal.
Medicare Reverses Stance on Reimbursing Hospitals for Amgen’s Costly Cancer Treatment
In a policy reversal, Medicare will now provide hospitals with extra payments for Amgen’s costly cancer treatment Blincyto. In a final rule to be published Aug. 17, CMS said Blincyto “represents a substantial clinical improvement over existing treatment options.” CMS approved a “new technology add-on payment” for up to $27,000 of Blincyto’s cost, depending on how long a patient stays in the hospital. Medicare makes such payments for new treatments whose costs are not yet included in the lump-sum reimbursements that hospitals receive for treating patients with certain diseases. New York Times.
Insurers Take Aim at Hospitals Amid Calls for Merger Investigations
In response to hospitals’ requests that antitrust regulators closely scrutinize proposed mergers between some of the nation’s largest health plans, a representative for America’s Health Insurance Plans charges that insurers’ efforts to keep costs down are hampered by consolidation in the hospital industry. Modern Healthcare et al.
Federal Judge’s Ruling Bars FDA From Restricting Off-Label Marketing
U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer has ruled that FDA cannot stop Amarin Corporation from “truthful and non-misleading speech” marketing the off-label uses of its drug Vascepa, which was approved to treat individuals with very high triglyceride levels. Experts say the ruling could have big implications for the pharmaceutical industry. Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog” et al.
Health Care Industry Among Largest Donors to California Lawmakers
Between January and June, California lawmakers raised more than $24 million, up from $18.5 million during the same period in 2013. The health care industry and labor groups accounted for the most donations to state and local campaign committees. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
NYT Editorial Touts ACA Successes in California
According to a New York Times editorial, “Californians got a double dose of good health care news late last month.” The editorial notes that since the Affordable Care Act took effect, fewer Californians reported having trouble finding a doctor or paying their medical bills and insurer premiums have seen a modest increase. The Times argues that premiums remained low in part due to a “law giving the exchange power to decide which insurers can sell policies, which gives it leverage to demand lower rates.” New York Times.
Dental Hygienists Begin Training for Expanded Scope of Practice
Dental hygienists in California are undergoing initial training to provide temporary fillings without the supervision of a dentist. Hygienists are allowed to perform the procedure under a state law that went into effect earlier this year as part of a larger initiative to expand dental care in the state. Los Angeles Times.
19 West Nile Virus Cases Reported in California This Year
On Friday, the Orange County Health Care Agency confirmed its first case of West Nile virus in 2015, bringing the total number of cases statewide this year to 19. Officials said the 51-year-old man became infected in July, but has fully recovered without hospitalization. AP/Sacramento Bee et al.
Sacramento Backs Off Effort To Increase Healthy Food Options in Vending Machines
On Thursday, the Sacramento City Council voted to approve a new vending machine vendor contract that does not include a requirement to stock 50% of city-owned machines with healthy beverages and snacks. The council backed off its requirement after vendors said it would not be economically feasible to stock half of the machines with healthy options. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ,” Sacramento Bee.