Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Care Sector Accounted for 15% of Calif. Data Breaches in 2013
A report from the California attorney general finds that 15% of data breaches reported in California last year occurred in the health care sector. According to the report, 70% of health care sector breaches were caused by physical theft or loss, while 20% were caused by errors. Sacramento Business Journal, Attorney General report.
Consumers Report Problems on Covered California Website
As the state health insurance exchange heads into its second open enrollment period, some consumers are experiencing errors with the Covered California website. For instance, the site is not allowing some insurance brokers to process insurance renewals or make changes to existing accounts. Sacramento Business Journal.
Oakland-based Kaiser Permanente in a statement said health care providers who have traveled to West Africa to treat Ebola patients “deserve a hero’s welcome home, not fear and stigmatization.” At least two physicians with the health system have traveled to Africa to combat the disease outbreak. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk.”
Study: Rx Painkillers Place ‘Substantial’ Burden on Hospitals
A report by researchers from Stanford University, the University of Pennsylvania, Brown University and Rush Medical College finds that overdoses from prescription painkillers place a “substantial” burden on hospitals and the economy. According to the report, opioid-based painkillers contributed to about 92,200 overdose-related hospital visits in 2010, costing an estimated $1.4 billion. Los Angeles Times‘ “Science Now.”
Analysts Say ACA Likely Will Boost Insurers’ Q3 Earnings
Health care analysts are predicting large third-quarter earnings for publicly traded health insurers. They say that the third-quarter reports could indicate how the Affordable Care Act’s insurance exchanges are affecting insurers’ business practices, among other things. Modern Healthcare.
Regulators Lift Enrollment Freeze for CalOptima Dual Eligibles Plan
Federal regulators will lift an enrollment freeze on Orange County’s CalOptima health insurance plan for residents who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Enrollment will reopen on Nov. 1, and the plan will be assessed in January 2015. Orange County Register.
CDC Issues New Ebola Guidelines for Categorizing at-Risk Travelers
CDC has released new guidelines detailing how states should handle travelers from countries most affected by the Ebola outbreak. Among other things, the guidelines say health workers who had high-risk exposure to Ebola patients but show no symptoms should undergo voluntary, at-home isolation. NBC News et al.
Counties Face Barriers To Overhauling Emergency Mental Health Care
As more individuals seek mental health care in hospital emergency departments, California counties are working to expand their emergency psychiatric care networks to meet that demand. However, financial barriers could delay the expansion of such services. Orange County Register.
Prop. 47 Savings Would Be Used for Mental Health Care
A November ballot initiative aims to change six crimes from felony charges to misdemeanors, thus reducing sentences and sending such offenders to county jails instead of prisons. The majority of the savings produced by the initiative would be earmarked for mental health care. ABC7 News et al.
UC-San Francisco’s Center for Vulnerable Populations is working to improve the lives of individuals with the highest risk of becoming ill. The center relies on research and outreach to develop innovative ways to address some of the most common health conditions. HealthyCal.