Latest California Healthline Stories
Let the Health Care Changes Begin
The start of the year marks the launch of a number of health care bills into law — as well as the beginning of two Medi-Cal provider rate cuts.
New State Law Allows Community Colleges To Offer Four-Year Degrees
In an effort to meet the demand for a more highly educated workforce, California community colleges for the first time will be allowed to offer four-year degrees — including some in health care fields — under a new law taking effect Jan. 1, 2015.
Bill Introduced To Create Statewide Health Care Cost, Quality Database
State Sen. Ed Hernandez has introduced a bill that would create an online database to compare costs and quality of health care products and services in California.
Health Net Sued Over Network Adequacy
A lawsuit filed this week in Los Angeles Superior Court claims that a small provider network resulted in permanent harm to a Health Net of California enrollee.
Strong Numbers for Open Enrollment
In less than a month of Covered California’s second open enrollment period, almost 300,000 people applied for health insurance coverage, including about 160,000 who applied for Medi-Cal.
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.