Latest California Healthline Stories
Forum Examines Residually Uninsured
Even after expansion of Medi-Cal, there still are an estimated three million to four million Californians without health insurance. A panel of experts discussed some possible solutions yesterday.
Rural Health Situation a Microcosm of Changes, Challenges Across the State
Rural health leaders and stakeholders gathered in Sacramento last week to figure out approaches to handle big changes and ongoing hardships of practicing medicine in remote California.
Primary Care Medi-Cal Providers About To Be Hit by Double Rate-Cut Whammy
The federal rate increase for Medi-Cal primary care providers expires Jan. 1, 2015 — the same day a 10% state reduction in rates kicks in.
Two UC Medical Centers Dropping Medi-Cal Managed Care Contract
A Medi-Cal managed care contract between Health Net and two UC hospitals — UC-Davis and UC-San Diego — will not be renewed. That affects more than 4,000 Medi-Cal patients, starting Jan. 1.
Exchange, Immigration Advocates Urge Enrollment by Mixed Status Families
Many Californians eligible for Medi-Cal or Covered California — particularly in families of mixed immigration status — have been reluctant to seek coverage. Government officials and immigration advocates joined forces to assure them health application information will not be shared.
Rural Frail, Elderly Beneficiaries Being Shifted to Medicaid Managed Care Plans
A year after launching its rural expansion of Medi-Cal managed care, the state now wants to shift about 24,000 of its most frail and elderly rural beneficiaries into managed care plans.
Decision Time for East Bay Hospital
A last-ditch effort to save the emergency department at Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo is about to encounter a significant hurdle in a county board of supervisors’ meeting.
New Legislative Strategies May Emerge To Raise Medi-Cal Reimbursement Rates
Ever since the Legislature agreed to reduce Medi-Cal provider payments by 10% in 2011, lawmakers have struggled to reverse the cuts. This year, there could be a more targeted approach.
Study Shows Need for Payment Reform, According to California Physicians Group
New research from UC-Berkeley shows costs per patient among hospital-owned physicians groups are higher than in groups owned by physicians themselves.
Death-With-Dignity Group Working To Get Bill Introduced in Sacramento
A national group advocating death-with-dignity laws is zeroing in on California after a well-publicized case of a Californian who moved to Oregon to take advantage of Oregon law.