Teledentistry Gets Boost From Assembly
A bill to expand the virtual dental home by bringing teledentistry to rural Californians passed the Assembly floor on a near-unanimous vote yesterday.
CMS, State Officials Halt Participation of CalOptima in Dual-Eligible Plan
Federal officials found “widespread and systemic” violations in an audit of Southern California insurer CalOptima, causing state officials to exclude Orange County residents — at least temporarily — from the Cal MediConnect conversion of dual-eligibles to Medi-Cal managed care.
Exchange Hopes New Hires Will Improve Service, Increase Minority Enrollment
Covered California board members hope hiring more enrollment helpers and increasing marketing will ease concerns over low minority enrollment and inadequate customer service.
State Agency Nearing Extinction: ‘We Have Accomplished Our Mission’
The end is nigh for the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board, which has overseen a number of programs to help uninsured Californians — especially children — get health coverage.
625,000 Enrolled in Health Exchange
More than 500,000 Californians signed up for health insurance through Covered California in time to receive coverage by Jan. 1, and recent enrollment pushes the total to 625,000 at the halfway point of the exchange’s first open enrollment period.
Study: Dual Eligibles Worried About April Transition to Managed Care
A new study from UCLA says seniors are worried about the state’s duals demonstration project. Beginning in April, the state will move about 450,000 Californians eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal into Medi-Cal managed care plans.
Proposal To Help Residually Uninsured Narrowly Passes Health Committee
A carryover bill to address health care needs of uninsured California workers cleared its first hurdle when the Assembly Committee on Health gave its approval yesterday.
In State Budget, Inaction Can Be Action
Legislators are likely to seek more money for several health-related components that got short shrift in the budget proposed by the governor, according to an independent nonpartisan organization.
Advocates Surprised, Disappointed at What’s Missing From Brown’s Budget
Gov. Jerry Brown’s state budget proposal is most striking for what’s not in it, according to health care advocates who point to the absence of re-funding programs or provider rates that were slashed in more difficult financial times.
Advocates Want Infant Program in Budget
Children’s advocates are pushing for reinstatement of the Black Infant Health Program in California’s budget this year, restoring funding that was cut in 2009.