Latest California Healthline Stories
Sonoma Center Appeals Decertification
Sonoma Developmental Center officials filed a formal appeal with the California Department of Public Health over the state agency’s decertification of the center’s intermediate care facilities.
Public Health Information Portal Opens
The state Department of Public Health launched a new online data portal last week so that other public agencies and private innovators can create and design new applications for public use.
Legislature May Require Insurers To Track Patient Cost-Sharing
Health insurers often require patients to monitor their own out-of-pocket expenses. A bill in the state Legislature proposes to move that responsibility to insurers.
Advocates, State Officials Wrangle Over California’s Medi-Cal Renewal Backlog
Consumer advocates are asking for federal intervention to help with California’s unprocessed Medi-Cal applications. The state hopes to have the backlog reduced to about 350,000 by the end of the month.
State: Autism Therapy a Medi-Cal Benefit
State health officials announced yesterday that they plan to cover autism therapy for Medi-Cal children, with possible retroactive coverage and full implementation likely by the start of 2015.
Amputation Rate 10 Times Higher for Poor Patients, UCLA Study Finds
UCLA researchers say low-income individuals with diabetes in California are at much greater risk to have limbs amputated than wealthier people with same disease.
State Wins Duals Project Court Ruling, Medicaid Defense Fund Plans to Appeal
A California Superior Court judge ruled Friday in Sacramento that the state may continue with its duals demonstration project. Medicaid Defense Fund, which challenged the project in a lawsuit, plans to appeal.
Progress on the Road to Data Sharing
Leaders in health information technology at an annual meeting in Santa Rosa last week reported significant progress in policy-making and technological advancements in California’s efforts to create a sophisticated data-sharing ecosystem.
Agency Might Appeal Decertification of Sonoma Developmental Center
Sonoma Developmental Center could lose $1.2 million in federal funds every month if a state survey decision to decertify the facility remains in place. Department of Developmental Services officials say a decision on whether to appeal will come next week.
Health Agency Opposes Bill To Create Children’s Medi-Cal Advisory Panel
A legislative proposal to create an advisory panel to look at children’s health issues in Medi-Cal has an unusual opponent: the Department of Health Care Services.