Latest Morning Briefing Stories
CMS, State Officials Halt Participation of CalOptima in Dual-Eligible Plan
Federal officials found “widespread and systemic” violations in an audit of Southern California insurer CalOptima, causing state officials to exclude Orange County residents — at least temporarily — from the Cal MediConnect conversion of dual-eligibles to Medi-Cal managed care.
This Program Was Bigger Than Covered California. Why Did We Ignore It?
By December 2013, nearly 700,000 people had obtained health coverage through California’s Low-Income Health Program, the state’s early expansion of Obamacare coverage — and the “most overlooked” part of health reform, one expert tells California Healthline. Here’s a look at lessons to be learned from the LIHP.
Study: Dual Eligibles Worried About April Transition to Managed Care
A new study from UCLA says seniors are worried about the state’s duals demonstration project. Beginning in April, the state will move about 450,000 Californians eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal into Medi-Cal managed care plans.
Rosier State Budget Report Prompts Talk About Restoring Health Care Cuts
When California faced fiscal crisis, state officials cut health care spending. Now that it looks like the financial sky is lightening, will the state restore a few of those cuts?
The New Heath Coverage Gap: Will Obama or States Take Action To Close It?
A new health coverage gap is emerging in states that are not expanding Medicaid. Experts wonder whether states will act to help residents who are affected or if the Obama administration will provide aid.
As Healthy Families Shift Goes, So Goes Rural Expansion of Medi-Cal Managed Care
This month, the state simultaneously is introducing Medi-Cal managed care to rural counties and launching the final transition phase for Healthy Families children. The big question is: Will there be enough health care providers in rural counties?
Rural Medi-Cal Managed Care Effort Begins
Medi-Cal managed care coverage has spread to 28 rural counties, completing the state’s goal of launching managed care plans in all 58 California counties before Jan. 1, 2014.
Medi-Cal Transition ‘Lessons Learned’
An Assembly health committee hearing yesterday examined the long list of current and pending Medi-Cal managed care transitions with the goal of correcting missteps of the past and avoiding new ones in the future.
DHCS Director Apologizes at Hearing Examining Medi-Cal Drug Program Fraud
State health officials at the Department of Health Care Services addressed concerns about alleged fraud in a Medi-Cal drug abuse treatment program at a hearing in Sacramento yesterday.
How California’s Dual-Eligibles Project Compares With Five Other States’ Plans
A new analysis by a seniors’ advocacy group lays out the similarities and differences between the appeals process for dual-eligible projects in six states, including California.