Latest Morning Briefing Stories
What Has Half a Century of Medicaid Meant for U.S.?
Experts and stakeholders reflect on half a century of Medicaid as we approach the 50th anniversary of two national health programs.
State’s Rate Review Shows Fewer Dental Providers Take Medi-Cal Patients
The number of California dentists providing care through Medi-Cal has fallen by more than 14% since 2008. With the concurrent large increase in Medi-Cal dental coverage, advocates see an access issue looming.
State, Advocates, Academics React To Auditor’s Medi-Cal Managed Care Report
State health officials may not be getting enough data from Medi-Cal managed care plans, raising concerns about the difficult task of melding public agencies and private plans.
Undocumented Immigrants Help Keep Medicare Solvent, According to New Study
New research measuring undocumented immigrants’ contributions to the Medicare program has implications for efforts to extend Medi-Cal coverage to undocumented immigrants, according to California officials.
Medi-Cal Mental Health Waiver Approved
Integration of physical and mental health in the Medi-Cal program got a boost from federal approval of a five-year extension of the specialty mental health services waiver.
Governor Calls for Special Legislative Session To Address Health Spending
With health care spending high on his list of fiscal concerns, Gov. Brown has called for a special legislative session dealing with Medi-Cal, loss of the managed care organization tax and other health spending issues.
Scathing Auditor’s Report on Medi-Cal
California lawmakers need to ramp up their monitoring of the Department of Health Care Services to make sure Medi-Cal managed care patients can access care, according to a state audit released yesterday.
Medi-Cal Managed Care Audit Coming
The state auditor is about to release a critique of Medi-Cal’s managed care program, including the adequacy and accuracy of its provider directories.
State Fashions New Dental Director Role
The governor’s appointment of a state director of dental care could signal a fresh approach to oral health in California and may help solve problems in Denti-Cal, California’s Medicaid dental program.
Surprising Results From Pilot Program Aimed at Medi-Cal ‘Super-Utilizers’
More than half of Medi-Cal health care spending is on 5% of the beneficiaries — but that small cadre of “super-utilizers” might not be who you think they are, according to a pilot project in rural Humboldt County.