Shift in Child Hospice Care Is a Lifeline for Parents Seeking a Measure of Comfort and Hope
Terminally ill children, unlike adults, can get hospice services while continuing to receive life-extending or curative care. More than a decade after the inception of the federal policy, it is widely credited with improving the quality of life for ailing children and their families, even as some parents find themselves in a painful stasis.
Timely Mental Health Care Is a Key Factor in Strike by Kaiser Permanente Workers
A new California law requires timely follow-up appointments for mental health and addiction patients. But striking workers at Kaiser Permanente in Northern California say patients continue to wait up to two months.
The Time Has Come for DIY Mandates on Covid
Yes, lots of us suffer from pandemic fatigue and have been getting sloppy about precautions in recent months. But with covid an ongoing menace 鈥 and governments reluctant to return to sweeping mandates 鈥 it鈥檚 time for all of us to step up our game.
Even Well-Intended Laws Can鈥檛 Protect Us From Inaccurate Provider Directories
State and federal laws require health plans to offer accurate lists of participating doctors and facilities, but consumers still struggle to get timely appointments with providers.
No-Bid Medicaid Contract for Kaiser Permanente Is Now California Law, but Key Details Are Missing
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill last month that authorizes a statewide Medicaid contract for HMO giant Kaiser Permanente. But details still need to be worked out in a memorandum of understanding.
Es cierto que peque帽os cambios en los ingresos pueden hacer que la elegibilidad cambie, pero si se ingresa informaci贸n incorrecta en un sistema inform谩tico compartido por Covered California y Medi-Cal, o se elimina informaci贸n precisa, eso les puede causar grandes dolores de cabeza a los afiliados.
Computer Glitches and Human Error Still Causing Insurance Headaches for Californians
Covered California and Medi-Cal share a computer system for eligibility and enrollment. Nearly a decade since the Affordable Care Act expanded coverage options in the state, enrollees can be diverted to the wrong program 鈥 or dropped altogether 鈥 if erroneous information gets into the system.
New Covered California Leader Urges Renewal of Enhanced Federal Aid for Health Premiums
Jessica Altman took over in March as executive director of California鈥檚 health insurance marketplace, which serves 1.8 million people. She warns that if Congress does not renew the tax credit enhancements that have made health plans more affordable, consumers will face significantly higher premiums, which could cause many to forgo coverage.
California abre el Medi-Cal a adultos mayores indocumentados
El estado vuelve a ser pionero en su esfuerzo porque todos tengan seguro de salud, m谩s all谩 de su estatus migratorio.
California Opens Medicaid to Older Unauthorized Immigrants
Starting May 1, low-income unauthorized immigrants over age 49 became eligible for full Medicaid health coverage, a significant milestone in California鈥檚 effort to expand coverage.
Battle Lines Are Drawn Over California Deal With Kaiser Permanente
A controversial proposal to grant HMO giant Kaiser Permanente a no-bid statewide Medicaid contract is headed for its first legislative hearing amid vocal opposition from a coalition of counties, competing health plans, community clinics, and a national health care labor union.
How a Former Catholic Priest Is Navigating a California Medicaid Plan Through Big Changes聽
Michael Hunn left the clergy and became a hospital and health system executive. He鈥檚 been named CEO of CalOptima, Orange County鈥檚 Medi-Cal health insurance plan for low-income residents, and his spiritual background is helping him guide the publicly run plan into the future.
Multas r茅cord podr铆an significar que California finalmente se toma en serio la mejora de Medi-Cal
El estado impuso una multa de $55 millones a L.A. Care por m煤ltiples violaciones en sus procesos de asistencia m茅dica.
Record Fines Might Mean California Is Finally Serious About Improving Medi-Cal
California regulators issued record fines against L.A. Care, the state鈥檚 largest Medi-Cal managed-care plan, for providing inadequate care to its enrollees. But whether the penalties are a sign that the state will make a more forceful effort to improve Medi-Cal鈥檚 overall quality of care remains to be seen.
Poco m谩s del 57% de los adolescentes de 12 a 17 a帽os y el 62% de los j贸venes de 18 a 24 a帽os est谩n completamente vacunados. Para estas franjas de edad covid tambi茅n puede ser mortal.
When Teens Blow Off Parents鈥 Pleas to Get Vaccinated, the Consequences Can Be Deadly
Kennedy Stonum, a 17-year-old high school junior, resisted getting vaccinated against covid-19, as did 20-year-old Tyler Gilreath, whose mother had nagged him for months to get the shots. Both died.
Vacunados con J&J, reforzados con ARNm, y pensando en la tercera dosis
Cerca de 17 millones de personas que recibieron la vacuna de Johnson & Johnson contra covid se preguntan cu谩ntas dosis necesitan.
J&J-Vaxxed, mRNA-Boosted, and Pondering a Third Shot
Many of the nearly 17 million U.S. members of J&J Nation, myself included, are wondering whether to set aside the current official guidance and get a second booster. Some experts say: Chill out.
California Inks Sweetheart Deal With Kaiser Permanente, Jeopardizing Medicaid Reforms
The backroom deal with politically connected Kaiser Permanente, which infuriated other Medi-Cal health plans, allows the health care giant to continue selecting the enrollees it wants.
What the Federal 鈥楴o Surprises Act鈥 Means in California
The new federal law will provide protection against surprise medical bills for between 6 million and 7 million Californians who are not covered under state law.
