Latest California Healthline Stories
Bill Curbing Narrow Networks Opposed
A bill restricting California insurers’ use of narrow provider networks faces opposition as it moves toward a floor vote in the Assembly.
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.
Judge Allows State Conservator To Take Over Public Health Plan’s Finances
The struggle over the financial workings of a public health plan in Alameda County ended last week when a Superior Court judge ruled the state may appoint the conservator of its choice to temporarily run Alameda Alliance for Health.
What’s in Proposition 45 — Minus the Hype, Money, Emotion and Controversy
The proposition to regulate health insurance rates in California’s individual and small-group markets raises some interesting and complicated questions — even without the fevered rhetoric swirling around Prop. 45 on the November ballot.
Lawsuits. Surprise Bills. Are ‘Narrow Networks’ a Speed Bump, or a Scandal?
Complaints about the “narrow networks” in the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges have taken a sharp turn, with regulators launching investigations and patients filing lawsuits. Are these simply rollout-related challenges, or are deeper problems to blame?
First Volleys Lobbed in Expected Long Debate on Rate Regulation in Prop. 45
A joint legislative hearing tackled a controversial initiative on the November ballot — Proposition 45, the measure that would regulate health insurance rate increases.
They Annoy Patients. They Scare Docs. But Narrow Networks Might Be a Good Thing.
With legal challenges, new market entrants and recent CMS regulations, narrow networks may be a little less narrow in year two of Affordable Care Act enrollment. But there are benefits to limited networks, experts say, and patients and doctors’ frustrations with the model may have been overstated.
Senate Passes Rate Regulation Bill
The California Senate yesterday approved a bill to expand the state’s health insurance rate review process to the large-group market.
Soda Warning Bill Passes Committee; Plan To Insure Undocumented Does Not
A bill to provide health coverage to the state’s undocumented population stalled in committee last week, but another high-profile health bill seeking warning labels on sweetened beverages advanced.
UC-Berkeley Study Validates Legislation To Insure Undocumented in California
A new study released two days before related legislation is due to be heard in committee suggests costs of providing health insurance for all Californians — including undocumented individuals — would be relatively low and the payoff relatively high.