FROM THE FOUNDATION

Physician Supply and Demand in California

While physician supply has increased in recent years, California as a whole barely meets the national recommended minimum range. And future demand is expected to outpace supply due to a confluence of factors. Read details in a new CHCF Almanac report.

Where Big Money Goes in Medi-Cal Spending

Seven percent of Medi-Cal beneficiaries accounted for more than three-quarters of fee-for-service program expenditures in fiscal year 2008. This snapshot profiles this small but expensive population and uses the findings to suggest ways to slow spending growth.

Gauging the Physician Shortage in Medi-Cal

This report uses survey data to measure physician participation in the Medi-Cal program and examine differences across specialties and regions. It finds that low participation rates are a persistent problem and discusses the implications for low-income patients.

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Long-Term Care

Friday, October 16, 2009

New State Law Calls for Nursing Homes To Post CMS Five-Star Ratings

California nursing homes are preparing to comply with new legislation (AB 215) that will require them to publicly display their CMS rating information beginning Jan. 1, 2011, HealthLeaders Media reports.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) signed the bill on Sunday.

The measure, by Assembly member Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles), requires all nursing homes certified by Medicaid or Medicare to post their scores from CMS' Five-Star Quality Rating System.

The system awards ratings of one to five stars based on:

  • 10 quality measures;
  • Nursing home surveys; and
  • Staffing rates.
Although some advocates say the legislation will help educate consumers about nursing home quality, others say the CMS rating system is misleading (Kimball, HealthLeaders Media, 10/15).



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