Latest California Healthline Stories
Hearing Looks at Acquisition of Insurer
State regulators heard from all sides during a public hearing yesterday over the planned merger of health insurers Centene and Health Net.
Advocates Ratchet Up Pressure on Blue Shield To Increase Foundation Funding
Consumer groups’ letter joins concerns raised by the Department of Managed Health Care over insurer’s lack of increase in foundation funding after merger approval.
Supreme Court To Hear Case Deciding Fate of All-Payers Claims Databases
The nation’s highest court is scheduled today to hear a case that could decide the future of statewide health insurance claims databases, which are considered an important tool in improving care and reducing costs.
Disagreement Over Charity Contributions Simmers in Blue Shield’s Care1st Deal
Blue Shield of California said it is abiding by the language outlining charitable contributions in its agreement with the Department of Managed Health Care clearing the way for its $1.2 billion acquisition of Care1st. Consumer advocates say the insurer is reneging on a promise.
California and its Counties Leading Way on Health Benefits for Undocumented
Contra Costa County Supervisor Candice Anderson, Rosa Maria Arriaga, a 72-year-old patient, Álvaro Fuentes of Contra Costa County’s Community Clinic Consortium, Gerald Kominski of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, Gabrielle Lessard of the National Immigration Law Center, Ira Mehlman of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, Teshina Wilson, a physician at a Richmond clinic, and Anthony Wright of Health Access California spoke with California Healthline about the state’s efforts to provide health care to undocumented immigrants.
Another One Bites the Dust: Why Are 12 ACA Co-Ops Closing?
Yesterday, a 12th cooperative health plan created under the Affordable Care Act announced that it will shut down. Why have more than half of such co-ops failed, and what do the closures mean for consumers?
Best Practices for Provider Directories? Study Aims To Inform California Lawmakers
Many first-time health insurance buyers rely on plans’ provider directories to select coverage or choose a doctor, so why is it so hard for insurers, Medicaid agencies and insurance exchanges to keep those lists up-to-date?
Health Insurer Consolidation Under Scrutiny
As Congress convenes hearings examining the issue, we asked legislators, consumer advocates and stakeholders to weigh in on the pros and cons of consolidation in the health insurance industry.
Court Rules Blue Cross, Blue Shield May Need To Pay State Health Premiums Tax
Two large health care service plans can be called health insurers, a court has ruled, and may be subject to California’s gross premiums tax.
ACA Could Be a Boon for American Indians, but Enrollment Challenges Remain
Helping American Indians and Alaska Natives enroll in Affordable Care Act coverage can be difficult, even though doing so would improve health disparities and bring in more funding for tribal health care providers.