Latest California Healthline Stories
Many Health Measures in Budget Plan Advanced by Lawmakers
Yesterday, the California Legislature passed a budget plan that includes $438 million to expand Medi-Cal under the Affordable Care but leaves in place a 10% cut to Medi-Cal reimbursements. The approved budget plan is about $1.2 billion more than proposed by Gov. Brown. Sacramento Bee et al.
Farmworkers in Calif. Often Lack Access to Mental Health Services
Immigrant farmworkers in California have a higher risk for mental health issues, but cultural and language barriers make it difficult for such residents to access mental health services. The Board of Behavioral Sciences reports that few mental health professionals in the state speak a second language. HealthyCal.
Calif. Court Rules Insurer Payments Should Reflect Value of Care
A California appellate court has ruled that hospitals should bill insurers for the “reasonable value” of care provided — not the full rate of services in hospitals’ “chargemaster” lists — regardless of whether a contract between the two entities exists. Sacramento Business Journal.
UCSD, Humana Form Accountable Care Partnership
UC-San Diego has partnered with Humana to provide accountable care to Humana Medicare Advantage policyholders in the San Diego area. Under the agreement, clinical analytics and population health management tools will be used to manage chronic diseases and promote health and wellness. Health IT Analytics.
Whooping Cough Reaches Epidemic Levels in California, Public Health Officials Say
On Friday, California public health officials announced that the state is facing an epidemic of pertussis, or whooping cough, with more than 3,400 cases reported this year in the state. The highest rates of the illness are in Marin, Napa and Sonoma counties. Orange County Register et al.
Sacramento Airport Rejects Billboard Featuring Undocumented Immigrants Promoting Health Care
Sacramento International Airport has rejected a billboard advertisement from the California Endowment that depicted undocumented immigrants promoting universal health care. In a statement, the airport said the billboard violated its policy prohibiting displays that could involve the facility in “controversial, social, moral, political or ethical issues.” KCRA.
Retirement Health Care Costs Average $220K per Couple
Fidelity Investments estimates that a couple retiring this year should expect to spend an average of $220,000 in health care costs during the couple’s retirement. Fidelity’s estimate takes into account Medicare premiums, out-of-pocket costs and copayments but does not factor in potential nursing home costs. A small percentage of individuals older than age 55 who had not yet retired were able to accurately estimate retirement health care costs, with nearly 60% saying that they expected to spend less than $50,000. Boston Globe.
S.D., S.F. and L.A. Among Top 10 Cities for Patients’ Physician Satisfaction, ZocDoc Says
San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles are among the 10 cities with the best-rated physicians, according to ZocDoc, a physician booking and rating website. The city rankings were calculated based on wait time, bedside manner and overall ranking. Only doctors with at least 15 reviews were included in the rankings. Business Insider.
Rate of Uninsured CSU Students Drops by 60%, Survey Finds
A California State University outreach and enrollment campaign has helped reduce the rate of uninsured students by 60%, according to a new survey. Further, the survey finds that 45% of students who signed up for coverage through the Affordable Care Act said they did so because it became more affordable. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now,” KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Senators Seek Input on Leveraging Big Data in Health Care
Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden and Sen. Chuck Grassley have sent letters to industry stakeholders asking for input on the benefits and barriers to big data and health data transparency. Meanwhile, Wyden in a speech yesterday stumped for the better use of medical data to reform health care and curb costs. The Hill, CQ HealthBeat.