CMS Settlement May Have Ripple Effect
Federal approval of a court settlement of a California case involving Medi-Cal could set a precedent applicable to another case involving Medicaid.
New Deterrent Opioids on State’s Radar
A bill in the Assembly aims to expand the use of a new kind of opioid designed to prevent patients from crushing or altering the medication, deterring one form of drug abuse.
Progress Reported in State’s Handling of Nursing Home Complaints
The days of 11,000 backlogged nursing home complaints are over, according to officials at the Department of Public Health.
State Readies Health Home Project
California is targeting super users of Medi-Cal with a new project to reduce preventable emergency department visits and hospital admissions.
If Duals Project Is Curtailed, Future Is Cloudy for Program for Frail Seniors
As part of California’s duals demonstration project, the state is phasing out the Multipurpose Senior Services Program designed for some of the frailest beneficiaries of Medicare and Medi-Cal. But that demonstration project itself could be ended prematurely.
Residency Training Slots May Evaporate
Four funding sources for training new physicians — all designed to increase the number of family practice physicians in California — are due to expire soon.
State Insurance Commissioner Calls Out Blue Shield for ‘Second Tax Dodge’
On the heels of the Franchise Tax Board’s revocation of Blue Shield of California’s tax-exempt status, the state insurance commissioner said the insurer is avoiding premium taxes to the tune of $100 million each year.
Frustration Boils at Denti-Cal Hearing
Lack of required reporting and little progress in Denti-Cal’s low utilization rates made for a tense and testy legislative hearing on dental coverage for five million California children yesterday in Sacramento.
Hearing Today on Denti-Cal Report
A joint legislative hearing in Sacramento today will look at a state auditor’s report sounding an alarm about low utilization rates and a dearth of participating dentists in the Denti-Cal program.
Possible Explanation Offered for Delayed Medi-Cal Termination Data
The executive director of the County Welfare Directors Association of California said the lag in the state’s reporting of Medi-Cal coverage data is understandable following a year of growth and change.