Latest California Healthline Stories
CMS Approves Ark., Iowa Medicaid Expansion Provisions
The Obama administration has granted further leeway to two Republican-led states that have adopted alternative Medicaid expansions under the Affordable Care Act. CMS in a letter authorized Arkansas for the first time to implement cost-sharing requirements for beneficiaries participating in the state’s alternative Medicaid expansion who have annual incomes below the federal poverty level. CMS in a separate letter authorized Iowa to continue charging premiums for beneficiaries with incomes below 138% of federal poverty level and also to continue to not cover nonemergency transportation services for beneficiaries. Modern Healthcare.
Most MA Beneficiaries Switch From Traditional Medicare, Study Says
A new study finds that 52% of new Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in 2011 came to the program from traditional Medicare, down from 78% in 2006. The study also finds the decision to move into MA was most common among beneficiaries in their late 60s. The Hill.
Judge Delays Effective Date for DOL Rule To Boost Home Worker Pay
Part of a Department of Labor rule that will extend minimum wage and overtime pay protections to more home care workers has been delayed by a federal judge until Jan. 15. Home care associations argue that the new rule’s definition of home care “companions” would destabilize the home care industry and result in reduced access to affordable and quality care. Modern Healthcare.
On Monday, the California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that under the U.S. Constitution’s 5th Amendment defendants accused of felonies and who are found to be insane cannot be compelled to testify. The ruling was made in the case of Charles Hudec, who prosecutors sought to compel to testify in a hearing to extend his stay at a state mental health hospital, where he was committed after being found not guilty by reason of insanity for murder. AP/Contra Costa Times.
Settlement Talks Begin Over Busing Nevada Patients With Mental Illnesses to California
Officials from California and Nevada are discussing a settlement for one of three lawsuits against Nevada over the busing of patients with mental illnesses to California. The settlement, which would end a 16-month legal battle between Nevada and San Francisco, would compensate California for costs related to patients with mental illnesses who were discharged from psychiatric facilities in Nevada and provided a one-way bus ticket to seek help in California and would create new rules for transporting such patients across state lines. Las Vegas Sun.
CDCR To Launch Statewide Prison EHR System Test Sites This Year
This year, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation plans to launch test sites for a prison electronic health record system. The project is based on a similar EHR system that has been in place at the Los Angeles County Jail since 2000. Salem Statesman Journal.
California and four other states have reached a $22 million settlement with Denver-based DaVita HealthCare Partners following a federal anti-kickback investigation involving kidney patients. In October 2014, the U.S. Justice Department announced that DaVita HealthCare Partners would pay $350 million and a $39 million fine to resolve claims that it paid kickbacks to doctors who referred dialysis patients. AP/Sacramento Bee, Denver Business Journal.
Blue Shield, Sutter Contract Expiration Could Affect 280K Patients
Blue Shield of California and Sutter Health failed to reach a deal before their contract expired on Dec. 31, 2014, following a dispute over new terms. As a result, Blue Shield is notifying about 280,000 policyholders that they could lose in-network coverage with Sutter providers. Los Angeles Times et al.
Jones Releases Emergency Rule Over Narrow Provider Networks
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has released an emergency regulation to ensure that health plans offer an adequate number of physicians, clinics and hospitals to patients who live in certain areas, among other requirements. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News,” DOI release.
San Francisco Launches Campaign To Inform Public About Health Risks of E-Cigarettes
On Monday, the San Francisco Department of Public Health launched a public awareness campaign about the health risks associated with electronic cigarettes. The project is part of the Tobacco Free Project, which is funded by the state tobacco tax. San Francisco Chronicle.