Latest California Healthline Stories
Head of Health Care Services Looks Back on Tumultuous, Fruitful Years
Toby Douglas, director of California’s Department of Health Care Services, plans to retire as head of the agency in January. California Healthline sat down with Douglas recently to ask about the changes he has seen, and overseen, in his time in office.
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.
UC-San Diego Expects To Be Part of California’s Ebola Preparedness, Response
UC-San Diego Medical Center officials are making changes to their facility and processes and are confident they will join the list of California hospitals designated as Ebola treatment centers.
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.
What’s Behind High Opt-Out Rate Among Dual Eligibles in L.A. County?
About one-third of the Californians who are eligible for the duals demonstration project have chosen to opt out of participation. In Los Angeles County, that rate is much higher and topped 50% at one point. Why?
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.
32 States Haven’t Tried To Establish an Exchange. Are They Making a Huge Mistake?
Most states are sticking with HealthCare.gov — even though there’s a chance the Supreme Court will strike down the subsidies in the federal insurance exchange next year, putting health coverage at risk for millions of their residents.
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.
It’s Not Easy To Check Out Of Hotel Covered California
In my previous column, I explained that you become ineligible for Covered California’s tax credits when you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare. You will owe money to the government if you keep getting the credits after your Medicare begins. So I tried to offer a simple solution: Cancel your Covered California plan. Unfortunately, in […]