Latest California Healthline Stories
Can I Afford To Keep My Doctor?
Covered California says most consumers can avoid double-digit premium hikes next year if they shop around. But will enrollees be willing to switch plans if it means having to change doctors?
Many Well-Known Hospitals Fall Short of 5 Stars In Medicare’s New Ratings
Nine hospitals in California were among the 102 that did get the highest score.
Your ZIP Code And Your Health Plan Determine Your Care, New Data Show
A new online “atlas” reveals big differences in the cost and quality of care across California and across health plans.
Warning: Government Listing Of Clinical Trials Doesn’t Disclose Costs To Patients
Some clinics on NIH’s website charge people to participate in testing of unproven treatments — and it can come as a surprise to unsuspecting patients.
Gov’t Task Force Finds Evidence Lacking to Support Visual Skin Cancer Screenings
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force concluded that insufficient evidence exists regarding the benefits and harms of visual skin cancer exams.
No Primary Care Doc? We’ll Get You One
Starting next year, Covered California will require health plans to assign a primary care provider to all enrollees who don’t already have one — though the assignments will not be binding.
Covered California’s Affordability Challenge
California Healthline’s Chad Terhune discusses with KPCC the implications of the exchange’s announcement that average premium increases in 2017 will be more than triple what they were in the previous two years.
What Do Covered California’s Big Rate Hikes Mean For You?
We answer some key questions to help consumers make sense of today’s news about large premium increases in the state’s Obamacare exchange.
Covered California Health Plan Rates To Jump 13.2 Percent In 2017
A double-digit increase, which follows two years of moderate rate hikes, is likely to resonate across the country in debate over Obamacare.
Medical Marijuana Linked To Modest Budget Benefits For Medicare Part D, Study Finds
A Health Affairs study determines that Part D spending went down slightly on prescription drugs for which medical marijuana is viewed as a possible alternative.