Latest California Healthline Stories
Calif. Hits Nerve By Singling Out Cardiac Surgeons With Higher Patient Death Rates
The controversial practice — done by just a few other states — recently cast a spotlight on some prominent doctors. Supporters say it improves performance; detractors warn it discourages taking on complex cases.
Cuando el cirujano opera a dos pacientes a la vez… en distintos quirófanos
Es una práctica común en hospitales universitarios, pero ahora defensores de los consumidores y expertos opinan que puede no ser segura para el paciente.
Double-Booked: When Surgeons Operate On Two Patients At Once
Simultaneous surgeries have ignited an impassioned debate in the medical community.
Your Credit Score Soon Will Get A Buffer From Medical-Debt Wrecks
Starting in September, the three main agencies will wait 180 days before including a medical debt on a credit report.
Telemedicine Is Wide-Reaching But Doesn’t Always Replace Doctor’s Touch
Insurers increasingly cover tests and treatment overseen from afar. Still, regulators in California and elsewhere often won’t count remote providers when measuring the adequacy of physician networks.
Half The Time, Nursing Homes Scrutinized On Safety By Medicare Are Still Treacherous
Of the 528 nursing homes that graduated from special focus status before 2014 and are still operating, more than half — 52 percent — have harmed patients or operated in a way that put patients in serious jeopardy within the past three years, a KHN analysis finds.
As Seniors Get Sicker, They’re More Likely To Drop Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage plans offer good value and aim to keep patients healthy but sicker people are far more likely to quit because they can’t get the care they need.
In The End, Even The Middle Class Would Feel GOP Squeeze On Nursing Home Care
Medicaid pays for two-thirds of nursing home residents — 62 percent in California — but some recipients don’t even know they’re on it.
Hospitals Ramp Up Hyperbaric Therapy For Diabetics, Despite Concerns
Medicare is trying to deter overuse of hyperbaric therapy, and some experts question its effectiveness for healing diabetic wounds, one of the treatment’s fastest-growing uses.
Senate And House Take Different Plans To Scrap Individual Mandate
The Republicans’ penalty would affect people buying insurance who had a lapse in coverage of more than 63 days over a year.