Latest California Healthline Stories
House Lawmakers, Aide Subpoenaed in Probe of MA Plan Leak
Lawmakers on the House Ways and Means Committee and the staff director of the committee’s Subcommittee on Health have received subpoenas as part of an investigation into possible insider trading by leaking information about a change in Medicare Advantage plan payments. Wall Street Journal, Reuters.
Covered California Questions Rate Review Ballot Initiative
A new report from Covered California questions how a ballot initiative that would give the state regulatory authority to monitor and control health care premium rates could affect open enrollment and premium rates on plans offered through the exchange. KQED’s “State of Health” et al.
Calif. Agency, UCSF To Create Health Care Pricing, Quality Database
The California Department of Insurance and UC-San Francisco are partnering to create a health care price and quality database that is expected to launch next summer. Researchers will examine data from private insurers and Medicare to determine average costs, outcomes and quality data for geographic regions across California. Payers & Providers, DOI release.
Sacramento County Supervisors Approve Budget That Cuts Up to 24 County Medical Positions
On Wednesday, the Sacramento County board of supervisors passed a $3.6 billion budget that would cut up to 24 doctor, pharmacist and nurse positions from the county’s Department of Health and Human Services. The cuts come in response to the number of indigent health care patients in the country dropping from 11,000 to 40 since the Affordable Care Act was implemented. Sacramento Bee.
Brown Sets Dates for Exchange’s Open Enrollment Periods
Gov. Brown has signed a bill that sets the next open enrollment period for Covered California as Nov. 15 to Feb. 15, 2015. Under the measure, the open enrollment in 2016 and later years will be Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Sacramento Business Journal.
DMHC Levies $125K in Fines on Two Insurers
The California Department of Managed Health Care has levied a combined $125,000 in fines on two insurers. Honored Citizens Choice Health Plan in Cerritos was fined $65,000 for not meeting fiscal guidelines, and ValueOptions’ California division was fined $60,000 for several issues, including failure to pay claims and provide appropriate medical staff. Payers & Providers.
Enroll America Prepares for Second Enrollment Period
One of the primary goals of supporters of the Affordable Care Act for the second open enrollment period is to ensure that current enrollees renew their coverage, according to Enroll America President Anne Filipic. She noted that CMS recently announced $60 million in funds for navigators for the second enrollment period, which she said was “critical” to getting more people involved and ensuring that those navigators are well-equipped to help consumers. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules.”
CalPERS Reports $20M in California Investment Spending During FY 2012-2013
CalPERS this week released a report outlining $20.8 million of investments in California during fiscal year 2012-2013, a 5.6% increase from the year before. The investments accounted for about 8% of the pension fund’s resources. Sacramento Business Journal.
UCLA Releases Fact Sheets on Californians’ Health by Ethnicity, Race
The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research has released a series of fact sheets that break down health statistics in the state by race and ethnicity. The data include information on uninsured rates, work-based coverage, obesity rates and other metrics. Los Angeles Examiner, UCLA fact sheet.
FDA Issues Draft Social Media Guidance for Drug, Device Makers
Yesterday, FDA released draft guidance that would require drug and medical device manufacturers to disclose the benefits and potential risks of their products when posting on social media. It also details how the firms should address and correct misinformation posted by third parties. New York Times et al.