Latest Morning Briefing Stories
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.
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.