Computer Glitches and Human Error Still Causing Insurance Headaches for Californians
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Covered California and Medi-Cal share a computer system for eligibility and enrollment. Nearly a decade since the Affordable Care Act expanded coverage options in the state, enrollees can be diverted to the wrong program — or dropped altogether — if erroneous information gets into the system.
Fallas informáticas y errores humanos en la cobertura de seguros siguen siendo un dolor de cabeza para los californianos
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Es cierto que pequeños cambios en los ingresos pueden hacer que la elegibilidad cambie, pero si se ingresa información incorrecta en un sistema informático compartido por Covered California y Medi-Cal, o se elimina información precisa, eso les puede causar grandes dolores de cabeza a los afiliados.
New Covered California Leader Urges Renewal of Enhanced Federal Aid for Health Premiums
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Jessica Altman took over in March as executive director of California’s health insurance marketplace, which serves 1.8 million people. She warns that if Congress does not renew the tax credit enhancements that have made health plans more affordable, consumers will face significantly higher premiums, which could cause many to forgo coverage.
California Opens Medi-Cal to Older Unauthorized Immigrants
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Starting May 1, low-income unauthorized immigrants over age 49 become eligible for full Medi-Cal health coverage, a significant milestone in California’s effort to expand coverage.
Battle Lines Are Drawn Over California Deal With Kaiser Permanente
By Bernard J. Wolfson
A controversial proposal to grant HMO giant Kaiser Permanente a no-bid statewide Medi-Cal contract is headed for its first legislative hearing amid vocal opposition from a coalition of counties, competing health plans, community clinics, and a national health care labor union.
KHN on the Air This Week
KHN and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Record Fines Might Mean California Is Finally Serious About Improving Medi-Cal
By Bernard J. Wolfson
California regulators issued record fines against L.A. Care, the state’s largest Medi-Cal managed-care plan, for providing inadequate care to its enrollees. But whether the penalties are a sign that the state will make a more forceful effort to improve Medi-Cal’s overall quality of care remains to be seen.
Multas récord podrían significar que California finalmente se toma en serio la mejora de Medi-Cal
By Bernard J. Wolfson
El estado impuso una multa de $55 millones a L.A. Care por múltiples violaciones en sus procesos de asistencia médica.
Timely Mental Health Care Is a Key Factor in Strike by Kaiser Permanente Workers
By Bernard J. Wolfson and Zinnia Finn
A new state law requires timely follow-up appointments for mental health and addiction patients. But striking workers at Kaiser Permanente in Northern California say patients continue to wait up to two months.
When Teens Blow Off Parents’ Pleas to Get Vaccinated, the Consequences Can Be Deadly
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Kennedy Stonum, a 17-year-old high school junior, resisted getting vaccinated against covid-19, as did 20-year-old Tyler Gilreath, whose mother had nagged him for months to get the shots. Both died.
