Latest Morning Briefing Stories
LA Care Passes Duals Readiness Review
CMS officials gave the green light yesterday for LA Care to participate in California’s duals demonstration project, though the insurer still will miss half a year of automatic enrollment.
Medi-Cal Cuts Undermining Senior Programs, Facilities, Advocates Say
The 10% reduction in Medi-Cal reimbursements has undermined the viability of long-term care programs in California, according to advocates for seniors and the disabled who predict looming and continued closures could lead to a lack of access.
Advocates Say State Cooperating With Possible Revamp of Notices to Duals
As the May 1 launch of much of the state’s duals demonstration project gets closer, concerns about its implementation have increased, but advocates are encouraged by state officials’ willingness to listen and respond to worries.
Duals Project Schedule Unchanged
The state’s demonstration project to coordinate care for Californians eligible for Medi-Cal and Medicare will proceed as scheduled, despite a request from advocates last week calling for the project to be delayed.
Another Legislative Possibility for Restoring Medi-Cal Funding
A bill seeking to tax oil extraction in California could generate as much as $500 million a year that could be used to reverse or reduce the 10% cuts to Medi-Cal reimbursements.
Advocates Ask for Delay in Duals Project
Advocates for seniors and the disabled sent an “urgent request” to federal and state officials last week asking them to delay the start of California’s duals demonstration project.
Bills Introduced To Reverse, Study Effects of 10% Cut to Medi-Cal Providers
One bill introduced in the California Assembly yesterday seeks to reverse the state’s 10% reimbursement cut to Medi-Cal providers. A second bill proposes analyzing the cut’s effect on the health care system.
CalFresh New Path to Medi-Cal Enrollment
The state’s new “express lane” Medi-Cal enrollment effort through the CalFresh program has seen quick results, according to state officials.
State Officials, Advocates at Odds Over Size, Scope, Details of Duals Project
As the launch date for a pilot project to move roughly 400,000 senior and disabled dually eligible Californians into managed care plans approaches, state health officials are working on details with health plans, providers and beneficiaries.
Uninsured Project Buoyed by State’s Success in Expanding Medi-Cal
Instead of talking only about what they hope to accomplish, attendees at the annual Insure the Uninsured Project conference in Sacramento this week had a lot to celebrate.