Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Ruling’s Effect on Autism Coverage
An appeals court recently decided that the state cannot deny autism coverage to state employees based on licensure, and that ruling could hold an important precedent for autism advocates.
Inland Empire Preps for Medi-Cal Growth
County hospitals in Riverside and San Bernardino that helped design and build “bridges to reform” are now making plans to guide more than 50,000 Inland Empire residents in their transition from Low Income Health Plans to Medi-Cal on Jan. 1.
Breakthrough Deal for Nursing Facilities
The state could effectively reverse a 10% cut in reimbursements for one type of Medi-Cal provider — urban, hospital-based skilled nursing facilities. The deal was done by amending language in a bill that’s about to hit the Legislature floor.
Deadline Nears for U.S. Supreme Court Appeal of 10% Medi-Cal Provider Cut
Legislation has stalled to rescind all or part of the state’s controversial 10% Medi-Cal provider rate cut. That leaves one big option still open — appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Stakeholders Assess Delayed Duals Project
California’s duals demonstration project to coordinate care for those eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal has been delayed until April.
Hospital Fee Is One Step Closer to Law
An Assembly committee unanimously approved a plan to levy a fee on California hospitals and use the money to draw down additional federal funding for hospitals and the state.
State Outlines Plan To Transition Low-Income Health Program to Medi-Cal
A conference in Sacramento last week laid the groundwork for the state to move about 600,000 Californians from the Low Income Health Program to Medi-Cal next year.
Process Begins for Medi-Cal Provider Cuts
Plans were announced this week for a phased implementation of a 10% cut in Medi-Cal providers’ reimbursement. The first phase begins Sept. 5.
Providers Brace for Medi-Cal Rate Cut, Hold Concerns About Access to Care
Dustin Corcoran of the California Medical Association, Jan Emerson Shea of the California Hospital Association, San Diego otolaryngologist Ted Mazer and Norman Williams of the California Department of Health Care Services spoke with California Healthline about the implications and implementation of the 10% Medi-Cal provider reimbursement rate cut.
‘Churning’: The Latest Watchword for States Working on Health Reform
States are working to reduce “churning” — which happens when income changes cause individuals to shift in and out of health insurance programs. In California, officials do not have a firm strategy to prevent such cycling, but a bill before the governor would address the problem.