Latest California Healthline Stories
Covered California Will ‘Easily’ Hit Goal
Covered California’s enrollment total hit 474,000 and Medi-Cal sign-ups during the same time reached 779,000 — a total of more than 1.2 million newly enrolled in three months. With a deadline extension, state officials said the exchange would easily hit its goal of 500,000 enrollees.
How Two States Are Addressing Consumer Concerns About Narrow Networks
Insurers, regulators and state and federal lawmakers spent a good portion of last year belatedly acknowledging consumer complaints about health plans limited provider networks, learning more about the problem and drafting nascent solutions. Here’s a look at how two states are handling the issue.
Patient Satisfaction Among Low-Income Patients on the Rise, Survey Says
Despite concerns about problems with access to care as millions of residents gained health coverage through Medi-Cal expansion or Covered California, patient satisfaction among low-income Californians increased from 2011 to 2014, according to a study by Blue Shield of California Foundation.
More Latinos Signing Up for Insurance
Covered California enrollment is on track to meet a goal of 1.7 million sign-ups with a much larger percentage of Latino and African American enrollees than last year, exchange officials said.
Medi-Cal Ranks Grow by Nearly 500K
Since Covered California’s open enrollment period started Nov. 15, 2014, the number of Medi-Cal enrollees has swelled by more than 400,000, and an additional 100,000 are likely eligible.
Covered California Board About To Get Makeover
Three of Covered California’s five directors could be leaving, setting the stage for a leadership shift that could have significant influence on the country’s first and largest state health insurance exchange under the Affordable Care Act.
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.
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.