Latest California Healthline Stories
Just more than half of U.S. residents who in 2014 received subsidies to help purchase coverage through the exchanges will have to return a portion to the federal government this tax season, according to an H&R Block analysis released Tuesday. According to the analysis, the 52% of U.S. residents who received too-large subsidies will have to return $530 on average. Washington Times.
Taxpayers Won’t Have To Resubmit Taxes After ACA Tax Form Error
The Treasury Department says federal health insurance exchange enrollees who have already filed their taxes using incorrect tax forms do not have to amend their tax returns. Individuals who received larger tax refunds than they should have because of the mistake can keep the extra funds, while those who believe they received smaller refunds than they should have can update their returns. New York Times‘ “Your Money” et al.
IRS Seeks Feedback on Potential Exceptions to ACA’s ‘Cadillac Tax’
IRS is seeking stakeholder feedback as it prepares to develop regulations for the Affordable Care Act’s tax on employer-sponsored health plans set to take effect in 2018. IRS says the so-called “Cadillac tax” could exclude vision and dental benefits in the tax’s calculations, among other exceptions. Modern Healthcare, IRS notice.
DMHC: Mental Health Services Deficiencies Remain at Kaiser
A California Department of Managed Health Care report released yesterday finds that Kaiser Permanente has failed to address issues related to sharing information with patients and wait times for behavioral and mental health appointments. Kaiser acknowledges the deficiencies but says the report does not reflect its current staffing levels and wait times. KPCC’s “KPCC News” et al.
13.5M Californians Affected by Anthem Cyberattack, Officials Says
About 13.5 million California residents were affected by an Anthem data breach reported earlier this month. The breach affected a total of nearly 80 million individuals across the U.S. and exposed names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth and other personal data. Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk.”
California Hospitals Dominate Healthgrades’ List of Top Facilities
Yesterday, Healthgrades released its annual list of the nation’s top 100 hospitals, which includes 21 in California — the most of any state. In addition, seven California hospitals are on the top 50 list, which represents the top 1% of hospitals in the U.S. The lists are based on performance metrics for various common conditions and procedures. FierceHealthcare et al.
New Drug, Alcohol Treatment Certification Process Delays Hundreds of Programs Across California
Hundreds of outpatient drug and alcohol treatment programs are being delayed as they wait for approval from a new certification process the state is implementing for such providers that accept Medi-Cal patients. The delays come as demand for drug and alcohol treatment programs is expected to rise under the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion. HealthyCal.
Marin County Official Raises Polio Concerns Amid Low Vaccination Rates
A Marin County public health official has raised concerns of a polio resurgence because of the county’s low immunization rates. Marin County Public Health Officer Matthew Willis said that polio still exists in nine countries adding that international travel and low vaccination rates are a “dangerous combination.” San Jose Mercury News.
California Senate Committee Investigates Use of Psychiatric Drugs for Foster Children
On Tuesday, lawmakers on the Senate Human Services Committee and patient advocates decried the use of psychiatric drugs in foster children, after reports that nearly 25% of foster care teens take psychiatric drugs. During the hearing, lawmakers discussed a package of bills being introduced this month targeting the practice. San Jose Mercury News et al.
Judge Upholds S.F. Ordinance Barring Crisis Pregnancy Centers From Using False Advertising
On Friday, a federal judge rejected a lawsuit challenging a 2011 San Francisco ordinance that bars antiabortion-rights crisis pregnancy centers from using misleading or false advertising. The ordinance applies to limited-services pregnancy centers that do not offer emergency contraception or abortion services or provide referrals to providers that do. The measures prohibits such facilities from using advertising that “mislead[s] women contemplating abortion into believing that their facilities offer abortion services and unbiased counseling.” U.S. District Judge Saundra Brown Armstrong in the ruling wrote that the city ordinance “only restricts false and misleading commercial speech, which is not protected by the First Amendment.” San Francisco Chronicle.