Latest California Healthline Stories
California Takes On Health Giant Over High Costs
In a bold move, the state has sued Sutter Health, Northern California’s dominant hospital chain, whose prices have drawn complaints for years. The company says “healthy competition and choice exists across Northern California” for consumers seeking medical care.
Patients Overpay For Prescriptions 23% Of The Time, Analysis Shows
Researchers at the University of Southern California analyzed millions of prescriptions and concluded that close to a quarter paid copays that exceeded the cost of the drugs.
Nueva estrategia: hospitales internan a pacientes… en sus propias casas
Un enfoque común en Australia, Gran Bretaña y Canadá comienza a cobrar fuerza en el país: internar en sus propios hogares a los pacientes que no tienen condiciones de cuidado crítico.
From The ER To Inpatient Care — At Home
Some health systems are encouraging selected ill emergency department patients who are stable and don’t need intensive, round-the-clock care to opt for hospital-level care at home.
Cartoon Mascot Masks Nasty Health Care Feud
California’s health insurers trotted out a heart-healthy character with an ulterior motive — taking a dig at drugmakers.
Trump Administration Proposes Rule To Loosen Curbs On Short-Term Health Plans
The policy change is likely to entice younger and healthier people from the general insurance pool by allowing a range of lower-cost options that don’t include all the benefits required by the federal health law.
California Judge Postpones Aetna Trial Amid Media Firestorm
Orange County Superior Court judge says “media blitzkrieg” jeopardized chances that the nation’s third-largest health insurer could get a fair jury trial if the trial started this week, as planned. The company is being sued by a man who claims it improperly denied him care for a rare immune system disorder.
California’s Regulators To Investigate Aetna’s Medical Coverage Decisions
The investigations follow testimony in a lawsuit by a former Aetna medical director who said he relied on information from nurses, without reviewing patient records himself, when deciding which treatments to allow and deny.
It’s In The Mail: Aetna Agrees To $17M Payout In HIV Privacy Breach
In a low-tech snafu, information about HIV treatment was visible through the cellophane window on envelopes sent to about 12,000 consumers.
Aetna acuerda pagar $17 millones por revelar estatus de miembros VIH positivos
La aseguradora envío cartas en las que era visible la parte en la que se mencionaba que los destinatarios estaban tomando medicamentos contra el VIH.