Latest California Healthline Stories
Calif. Insurance Agents Waiting for Commissions From State, Insurers
Insurance agents who have helped individuals and families enroll in coverage during Covered California’s open enrollment periods say they are still owed thousands of dollars in commission payments. The state exchange says it is aware of the problem and is working to fix it. CHCF Center for Health Reporting/Sacramento Bee.
70% of Calif. Small Businesses Could See Rate Changes in 2016
The majority of businesses with fewer than 50 employees in California likely will face rate changes for their health plans at the end of 2015, when they will be required to offer coverage that meets the essential health benefits threshold under the Affordable Care Act. Last year, small businesses in the state received a one-year extension to comply with the law’s provisions. Los Angeles Times.
Guidelines Address Psychiatric Rx Use in Calif. Foster Care System
A group of health care officials, lawyers, public policy leaders and other advocates has unveiled a set of guidelines aimed at addressing physicians’ psychiatric medication prescribing practices among children in California’s foster care system. Among other things, the guidelines recommend that doctors offer non-drug therapies. San Jose Mercury News.
ONC Slams ‘Information Blocking’ Efforts by EHR Vendors, Providers
A new report from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology outlines complaints regarding efforts by health IT vendors and health care providers to block information sharing. The report details various actions ONC and other agencies can take to address the problem. Wall Street Journal et al.
Alameda Paramedics To Provide Post-Hospital Care to Patients Under Pilot Program
The Alameda Fire Department will participate in a statewide pilot program that will allow paramedics to provide post-acute care to patients with chronic illnesses to help stem readmissions and trips to the hospital. Under the program, which will launch in June at more than a dozen agencies across the state, certain patients will have access to specially trained paramedics for 30 days after their hospital release. The Alamedan.
Calif. Group Purchaser Includes Spinal Surgeries in Value-Based Purchasing Program
The Pacific Business Group on Health has included spinal surgeries in its Employers Centers of Excellence Network value-based purchasing program. The procedure has elicited criticism over its cost and potential overutilization. Payers & Providers.
California Bills Aim To Expand Access to Licensed Midwives
The California Legislature is considering two bills that would increase access to licensed midwives for women who want a home birth. One bill would include licensed midwives as eligible providers in the Medi-Cal Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program, and the other measure would expand the scope of practice of midwife assistants to allow them to perform tasks — such as drawing blood or administering medication — under supervision of a licensed midwife. Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program. Sacramento News & Review.
500 Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Los Angeles Have Been Shut Down Since 2013
Los Angeles officials have closed 500 medical marijuana dispensaries since voters in 2013 approved a measure to cap the city’s dispensaries at about 130. Estimates for the number of dispensaries currently operating in the city vary. Reuters.
Mont. House Advances Medicaid Expansion Bill; Senate Likely To Approve Plan
On Thursday, the Montana House voted 54-46 to advance a bill to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, setting the measure up for a final vote in the chamber. If passed, the bill — which would use federal funding to expand Medicaid to about 70,000 residents with annual incomes of up to 138% of the federal poverty level — would return to the Montana Senate, where it likely would be approved. Missoulian.
Coalition Announces New Health Care Transparency Initiative
A new initiative by a coalition of health care organizations aims to improve health care cost transparency. The coalition’s initial priority is to ensure the passage of a plan to permanently replace Medicare’s sustainable growth rate formula, which includes a provision on federal claims data transparency. Kaiser Health News, Washington Times.