Latest California Healthline Stories
Jones Recommends 10.2% Cut in Workers’ Compensation Rate
State Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has adopted the California Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau’s proposed pure premium rate. The rate marks a 10.2% decline from the current advisory rate of $2.74 per $100 of payroll. Insurance Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal.
Japanese-Americans Could Serve as Model for Aging Population
A new study by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research suggests that how elderly Japanese-Americans handle their health could serve as a model for caring for future aging populations of all ethnicities. The researchers say that studying Japanese-Americans in California could help “prepare for the enormous generational shift ahead.” Payers & Providers.
ED Visits Spiked After Dental Benefits Were Cut From Medi-Cal
A study published in Health Affairs finds an increase in emergency department visits after adult dental benefits were cut from California’s Medicaid program. The removal of the benefits contributed to an estimated increase of more than 1,800 ED visits for dental health issues annually. Reuters.
California Bill Seeks To Protect Providers Who Prescribe EpiPens for Public Schools
California Sen. Bob Huff has proposed legislation that would provide limited liability protection for providers who prescribe extra epinephrine auto injectors for public schools. The bill, which was unanimously passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, comes after physicians raised concerns about a newly enacted state law requiring that the medication be made available in public schools. KFBK News.
Assurant’s Health Insurance Division To Be Sold, Shut Down After ACA-Related Financial Losses
Assurant says it will close its health insurance division, Assurant Health, in 2016 if it is unable to find a buyer, citing financial losses since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Milwaukee-based Assurant Health, which specializes in individual and small business insurance, is expected to report up to $90 million in operating losses for the first quarter of 2015. AP/ABC News, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
California Senators Look To Amend Childhood Vaccination Bill To Facilitate Passage
California Sens. Richard Pan and Ben Allen plan to amend a bill that would end all personal belief exemptions to childhood vaccination requirements to make it less restrictive and help its potential for passage in the state Legislature. The proposed changes would “grandfather” many students whose parents already have claimed personal belief exemptions to vaccination requirements, allowing tens of thousands of children to delay or avoid the vaccinations. San Jose Mercury News.
Calif. Department of Managed Health Care To Hold Hearing Over Blue Shield’s Purchase of Care1st
The California Department of Managed Health Care plans to hold a hearing next month over Blue Shield of California’s proposed $1.25 billion acquisition of Care1st, a multi-state Medicaid and Medicare insurer with more than 524,000 enrollees. On June 8, both companies will explain their rationale for the move and officials hear public comments. Los Angeles Times.
UC-San Diego, Virginia Commonwealth University Team Up on Population Health Initiative
UC-San Diego’s Qualcomm Institute has partnered with the Virginia Commonwealth University to support Live Well San Diego, San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency’s population wellness program. Through the program, the institutions will use data from health information exchanges and electronic health records to determine how big data can improve population health. FierceHealthIT.
142 Adverse Events Related to Duodenoscopes Reported Since 2010
FDA in a report says that in the last five years it has received 142 adverse event reports on patient harm from duodenoscopes, which have been linked to recent superbug outbreaks at U.S. hospitals, including UCLA’s Ronald Reagan Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Times.
DPH Has Levied $1.1M in Fines This Year Over Data Breaches
The California Department of Public Health so far this year has levied more than $1.1 million in fines against six hospitals and two other health care providers for data breaches. The largest fines were levied on San Francisco General Hospital and Huntington Memorial Hospital. Payers & Providers.