State: Autism Therapy a Medi-Cal Benefit
State health officials announced yesterday that they plan to cover autism therapy for Medi-Cal children, with possible retroactive coverage and full implementation likely by the start of 2015.
Amputation Rate 10 Times Higher for Poor Patients, UCLA Study Finds
UCLA researchers say low-income individuals with diabetes in California are at much greater risk to have limbs amputated than wealthier people with same disease.
State Wins Duals Project Court Ruling, Medicaid Defense Fund Plans to Appeal
A California Superior Court judge ruled Friday in Sacramento that the state may continue with its duals demonstration project. Medicaid Defense Fund, which challenged the project in a lawsuit, plans to appeal.
California Lawmakers Considering Separate Marketplace for Vision Insurance
We asked stakeholders and consumer advocates what they thought about a bill proposing a statewide marketplace for vision insurance that would be separate from — but linked to — Covered California.
Progress on the Road to Data Sharing
Leaders in health information technology at an annual meeting in Santa Rosa last week reported significant progress in policy-making and technological advancements in California’s efforts to create a sophisticated data-sharing ecosystem.
New Payment Reforms, Shared-Savings Initiatives Could Be Part of Waiver Plan
State officials are hoping to include a number of shared-savings projects in the next version of California’s Medicaid waiver. The state’s five-year 1115 “Bridge to Reform” waiver will be up for renewal next year.
Agency Might Appeal Decertification of Sonoma Developmental Center
Sonoma Developmental Center could lose $1.2 million in federal funds every month if a state survey decision to decertify the facility remains in place. Department of Developmental Services officials say a decision on whether to appeal will come next week.
Hospital Mergers Are Out. ‘Strategic Alliances’ Are In. Is Obamacare Responsible?
Dignity Health and Kaiser are helping lead a new wave of deal making that focuses less on traditional mergers and more on quality alliances and joint ventures, as providers come together in the wake of the Affordable Care Act.
Health Agency Opposes Bill To Create Children’s Medi-Cal Advisory Panel
A legislative proposal to create an advisory panel to look at children’s health issues in Medi-Cal has an unusual opponent: the Department of Health Care Services.
Legal Expert Says State May Be Out of Compliance on Autism Therapy Benefit
It’s been almost a month since federal officials released guidance about including coverage of autism therapy as a Medicaid benefit. Not acting on that guidance might expose the state to legal risk, one expert says.