Latest California Healthline Stories
Napa County Public Health Director Shares Plans To Revamp Emergency Medical Services
On Wednesday, Karen Smith, public health director for Napa County, outlined plans for improving the county’s emergency medical services agency by enhancing patient record keeping and increasing coordination between trauma workers in hospitals and paramedics in the field. Smith also acknowledged that the county was late in sharing annual reports on EMS with state regulators. Napa Valley Register.
Study: Medicaid Reimbursement Increases Under ACA Boost Access
A new study shows that Medicaid appointment availability increased from about 58.7% to 66.4% after a reimbursement increase under the Affordable Care Act went into effect. Observers say the findings could convince federal lawmakers to continue the reimbursement increase, which expired Dec. 31, 2014. Modern Healthcare, MedPage Today‘s “The Gupta Guide.”
More Than 7.1M Enrolled in Federal Exchange, HHS Data Show
Federal data show that as of Jan. 16 more than 7.1 million U.S. residents have enrolled in coverage through HealthCare.gov since the start of the second open enrollment period. According to administration figures, more than 400,000 of those enrollments occurred from Jan. 10 to Jan. 16. Reuters et al.
Prices for Knee, Hip Replacement Surgeries Vary Across Calif., U.S.
A BlueCross BlueShield Association report finds that prices for knee and hip replacement procedures can vary by as much as 313% within a single market. In five California markets, prices vary by tens of thousands of dollars. Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog” et al.
Calif. Could Be Model for Offering Health Coverage to Undocumented
Several California counties have taken steps to provide health insurance to undocumented immigrants, and such efforts could serve as a model for other states. For example, a Los Angeles County program called My Health LA pays community clinics to treat undocumented immigrants. Kaiser Health News.
California Lawmakers Proposed 72 ACA-Related Bills in 2014
Data from the National Conference of State Legislatures show that California lawmakers in 2014 introduced more than 70 bills related to the Affordable Care Act, the most of any state. California was one of just five states to consider 50 or more ACA-related bills. Center for Public Integrity et al.
The California Department of Public Health has confirmed a total of 67 measles cases across California, as well as Colorado, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Mexico. The confirmed cases include five Disneyland Resort employees, of which two were vaccinated. The theme park has asked employees who had contact with their infected co-workers to stay home unless they can prove they have been vaccinated or are immune. Los Angeles Times, KQED’s “State of Health.”
UC-San Francisco Study Finds Long-Term Care Workers Typically Underpaid, Undereducated
A new study by UC-San Francisco researchers finds long-term care workers tend to be undereducated, low-paid and unlikely to keep their jobs for extended periods. The study concludes that “employers, educators and policymakers should consider investments in education and training” to improve the skill sets of long-term care workers and reduce job turnover and occupational injury rates. Payers & Providers.
Cigna Announces Accountable Care Deals With Three Southern Calif. Providers To Improve Patient Care
This week, health insurer Cigna announced three new accountable care arrangements with major health care providers in Southern California that took effect Jan. 1. The arrangements between Cigna and Scripps Health in San Diego, the UCLA Medical Group and Facey Medical Group in the San Fernando Valley aim to improve care coordination and reduce re-hospitalization. Payers & Providers.
Blue Shield, Sutter Fail To Reach Contract Agreement
Blue Shield of California did not meet a Tuesday deadline to extend its contract with Sutter Health. The insurer has informed hundreds of thousands of its health plan members that they could lose coverage with Sutter if a new deal is not reached. Blue Shield said it still is reviewing the hospital network’s contract offer. San Francisco Chronicle.