Latest California Healthline Stories
Study Shows Decline in Emergency Services Use Among Newly Insured
A new UCLA study showed a correlation between having health insurance and using fewer emergency department services — one of the primary cost-saving tenets of the Affordable Care Act.
Looking Back, Some Obamacare Glitches Didn’t Matter. These Four Still Do.
For all the talk about broken websites, some of the high-profile problems with the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges turned out to be surmountable. But other complications have emerged and remain concerning.
Senate Passes Bill Requiring Coverage, Notice After Changes in Provider Status
The state Senate passed a bill yesterday that places restrictions and responsibilities on insurers when they change network status of providers.
Getting Lost In Obamacare’s Mazes
To the people who run Covered California, the Medi-Cal program and health insurance companies: I know what a massive, confusing experiment Obamacare is. I know you’re creating new rules, building new computer systems, hiring new staff members and enrolling hundreds of thousands of Californians in health coverage, all under a very tight – if not unrealistic – deadline. […]
Teledentistry Gets Boost From Assembly
A bill to expand the virtual dental home by bringing teledentistry to rural Californians passed the Assembly floor on a near-unanimous vote yesterday.
Central Valley Project To Improve Health Costs, Outcomes Appears To Be Paying Off
A collaboration among the Fresno Unified School District, a primary care physician group and the California Academy of Family Physicians is producing healthier employees and big savings, according to first-year tallies.
CMS, State Officials Halt Participation of CalOptima in Dual-Eligible Plan
Federal officials found “widespread and systemic” violations in an audit of Southern California insurer CalOptima, causing state officials to exclude Orange County residents — at least temporarily — from the Cal MediConnect conversion of dual-eligibles to Medi-Cal managed care.
Exchange Hopes New Hires Will Improve Service, Increase Minority Enrollment
Covered California board members hope hiring more enrollment helpers and increasing marketing will ease concerns over low minority enrollment and inadequate customer service.
Legislation Floated To Address 3 Million Californians Still Lacking Health Insurance
The Affordable Care Act may succeed in getting health coverage for millions of Californians but even after full implementation, an estimated three million to four million residents still will be uninsured. Two efforts in the state Legislature aim to ease that problem.
State Agency Nearing Extinction: ‘We Have Accomplished Our Mission’
The end is nigh for the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board, which has overseen a number of programs to help uninsured Californians — especially children — get health coverage.