Latest California Healthline Stories
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.
Website Will Compare Health Insurance
Collaboration between the state and Consumer Reports will allow health insurance shoppers to see differences in quality and price.
Bill Passed To Undo ‘Step Therapy’ Rule
Under some health insurance rules, patients need to fail several therapies before their providers are allowed to prescribe what they want. The California Legislature approved a bill that could change that.
What the Anthem-Cigna Mega-Merger Could Mean for California
Anthem plans to buy Cigna, and their merger would create a new top player in California’s insurance market. But how much will it actually shake up California?
Why the State’s Seizure of a Local Health Plan May Have Rescued It
The state took over the finances and operation of Alameda Alliance for Health just over a year ago. Now, after a year of conservatorship, the local health plan may finally be back on financially solid footing.