Latest California Healthline Stories
Inadequate State, Federal Payment Rates Forcing Hospital Closure, Officials Say
An East Bay hospital that serves a patient population that’s 90% Medi-Cal, Medicare or the uninsured is facing imminent shutdown. State and federal reimbursement rates make serving that population unsustainable, hospital officials say.
Main Push in Duals Project Starts, L.A. County Launches Passive Enrollment
The biggest element of the state’s Cal MediConnect project has begun — the push to enroll 200,000 dual eligibles into managed care plans in Los Angeles County. It’s almost half the project’s target population.
Why Haven’t More States Expanded Medicaid Yet?
It’s been two years since the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act and put the fate of its Medicaid expansion in question. Many experts predicted that all states would eventually embrace the expansion, yet 22 states remain staunchly opposed. What gives?
Bill Sidesteps Governor, Accepts Grant
A new strategy is taking shape in the California Legislature to sidestep Gov. Brown’s rejection of a Medi-Cal grant offer from the California Endowment.
Advocates Want Duals Pilot Project Slowed
The National Senior Citizens Law Center is asking state and federal officials to slow down and fix problems in the pilot project to coordinate care for Californians eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal.
Bill To Extend Adult Day Program OK’d
California’s adult day health care program has ridden a rollercoaster of elimination, rebirth, funding reductions and legislative battles. A bill to extend the program appears to be on a track as smooth as glass.
California May Be Pushed To Offer Autism Treatment as Medi-Cal Benefit
Autism advocates contend CMS approval of autism therapy as a Medicaid benefit in two states means California and all other states are required to offer the same benefit.
Consumer Advocates Support California Bill Limiting Asset Seizure
California consumer advocates support a proposal in the state Legislature that would limit the assets the state can recoup from deceased Medi-Cal beneficiaries’ estates.
Approval of Autism Benefit in Louisiana May Influence California Budget Talks
California lawmakers are considering making autism therapy a Medi-Cal benefit, an idea bolstered by CMS’ approval last month of a similar plan in Louisiana.
Dental Group Warns of Provider Crisis for Special Needs Oral Care Patients
Low Medi-Cal reimbursement rates are blamed for a drop-off in the number of California hospitals caring for dental patients with special needs.