Latest California Healthline Stories
Lake County Agencies Launch Initiative To Raise Awareness About Insurance, Medi-Cal Benefits
The Lake County Department of Social Services has teamed up with the county probation department, sheriff’s office and North Coast Opportunities to raise awareness about health coverage and Medicaid. The two-year project recently was awarded $77,500 in grant funding to educate the more than 63,000 county residents, of whom about 20% are uninsured. Lake County News.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of October 17, 2014
Registered nurses at the Department of Veterans Affairs’ San Diego Healthcare System have voted to unionize under National Nurses United. The Joint Commission has issued a preliminary decision to deny Mission Health accreditation after four patients developed surgical site infections.
Consumer Groups, Analysts Say ACA Enrollees Should Avoid Automatic Renewals
Consumer groups and policy analysts are urging U.S. residents who purchased exchange coverage during the Affordable Care Act’s initial open enrollment period to shop around instead of allowing their coverage to be automatically renewed. In addition, despite recent improvements to HealthCare.gov, some stakeholders are concerned that technical glitches or administrative burdens could hamper enrollment during the upcoming open enrollment period. New York Times, National Journal.
Santa Monica Passes Restrictions on e-Cigarettes
This week, the Santa Monica City Council approved regulations for electronic smoking devices that mirror those in place for traditional cigarettes. Under the rules, e-cigarette use will be banned in public spaces and retailers selling the devices will have to obtain a tobacco license. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
CMS Unveils New ACO Investment Model for Small, Rural Providers
Yesterday, CMS unveiled a new care model designed to help small and rural providers successfully participate in Medicare’s accountable care organization program. The new ACO Investment Model will invest up to $114 million in infrastructure and redesigned care processes for up to 75 participants of the Medicare Shared Savings Program. Modern Healthcare et al.
DHCS Withholding Information on California Hospital Sanctions
The California Department of Health Care Services has not publicly disclosed information on medical errors that have resulted in nearly $750,000 in Medicaid reimbursements being withheld from hospitals. State officials say the data have been withheld to protect patient privacy, but patient advocates argue that disclosing such information would improve patient safety. HealthyCal.
Study: Strict Malpractice Laws Do Not Reduce Health Care Costs
A new RAND Corporation study finds emergency department costs and volume are not lower in states with stricter standards for proving malpractice. The study examined hospital Medicare claims data in three states where it is “virtually impossible” to sue for malpractice. Reuters, Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog.”
California Officials Working To Ensure Ebola Response Preparedness
California Department of Public Health officials are reviewing and implementing new measures to ensure that the state is prepared to handle and contain Ebola patients. For example, DPH has launched an outreach campaign to confirm containment protocols are in place at health care facilities across the state. Sacramento Bee‘s “Healthy Choices” et al.
Kaiser HMOs, Anthem and Cigna PPOs Rated Highest for Care
New report cards released by the California Office of the Patient Advocate rate Kaiser Permanente’s HMOs and PPOs run by Anthem Blue Cross and Cigna as the best in the state for providing recommended care. The reports also rate more than 200 physician groups. Los Angeles Times et al.
Opinion Piece Calls AP article on Covered California’s No-Bid Contracts a ‘Non-Story’
In an opinion piece, Ron Shinkman — the publisher of Payers & Providers — criticizes a recent Associated Press article that reported Covered California “gave away $184 million worth of no-bid contracts” without any evidence that those contracts were “linked to incompetent or incomplete performance.” Shinkman concludes by calling on his colleagues “to tell the whole story rather than rely on a few free-floating facts that were never put into appropriate context.” Payers & Providers.