Latest California Healthline Stories
Report: CalPERS Drops Nearly 9K Dependents From Health Coverage
CalPERS has removed 6,474 dependents of active state workers and 2,466 dependents of retired state workers from health coverage after an audit found them to be ineligible for the benefits they were receiving. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker,” CalPERS report.
DPH, Cal-OSHA Issue Ebola Guidelines for Calif. Hospitals
Following a protest by nurses last week, the California Department of Public Health and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health have issued new Ebola protection guidelines for hospital employees. The guidelines call for hospitals to provide full-body protective suits and other protections. Orange County Register et al.
AMA Calls for SGR Repeal, Coverage Expansion
The American Medical Association has released a policy statement calling for states that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act “to develop expansion waivers that help increase coverage options for their low income adult residents.” In addition, AMA called for lawmakers to repeal Medicare’s sustainable growth rate formula. HealthLeaders Media.
CDC: E-Cigarette Use Up Among High School Students
Fewer U.S. high school students are using tobacco products overall, but the use of electronic cigarettes among the same demographic has tripled between 2011 and 2013, according CDC’s National Youth Tobacco Survey. According to the survey, 22.9% of high school students said they used a tobacco product in the last 30 days, compared with 24.3% in 2011. However, the percentage of high school students who said they had used an e-cigarette in the last 30 days increased to 4.5% in 2013, up from 2.8% in 2012. Wall Street Journal, New York Times.
High-Deductible Plans To Account for Majority of Exchange Offerings
During the second open enrollment period, high-deductible plans could account for 60% to more than 80% of all plans sold in a given health insurance exchange. However, a new survey shows many low-income residents think their deductibles are unaffordable. Modern Healthcare et al.
2014 Enrollment in State-Run SHOP Exchanges ‘Lower Than Expected’
A Government Accountability report finds that enrollment in the Affordable Care Act’s small business exchanges in 17 states and Washington, D.C., was “significantly lower than expected” during the initial open enrollment period. Both the state- and federally run SHOP exchanges are launching their 2015 open enrollment periods on Saturday. Washington Post‘s “On Small Business” et al.
Calif. Pension Plans Running Low on Funds; Taxpayers Pick Up Costs
Data made public by California Controller John Chiang show that the state’s pension plans are running low on funds. For example, CalPERS in 2013 needed an extra $57 billion to cover future costs of benefits. Los Angeles Times.
Joint Commission Names 97 Calif. Hospitals as ‘Top Performers’
The Joint Commission included nearly 100 hospitals in California on its “Top Performer” list for evidence-based clinical processes, up from 34 in 2010. Nationally, more than 1,200 hospitals made the list. Facilities were assessed based on 46 accountability measures. Modern Healthcare et al.
UCSF Study Shows Better Provider Communication Reduces Medical Errors, Improves Patient Safety
A study conducted by UC-San Francisco and eight other institutions found that improving verbal and written communication between providers resulted in a 30% decline in patient harm from medical errors. According to researchers, medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the U.S.
Anthem Blue Cross Expands ACO Provider Network
Anthem Blue Cross is expanding its statewide accountable care organization network to include Hill Physicians Medical Group and several Sutter Health-owned entities in the Bay Area, including the Palo Alto Medical Foundation and Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation. The new agreement with Hill Physicians will add about 65,000 potential customers to the medical group. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk.”