03/18/2010
In 2007, WellPoint pledged that its charitable foundation would spend $30 million over three years in an effort to aid uninsured residents. However, tax filings, promotional materials and other information suggest that the insurer has not fulfilled its goal. Los Angeles Times.
03/18/2010
Despite instituting "some important changes," the Department of Managed Health Care "has not done enough to ensure that rescission is uncommon and reserved only for bad actors that deliberately provide misleading information on their application," Assembly member Hector De La Torre writes in an opinion piece. He argues that the department should restart a process it ended in 2007 that would create new rescission regulations to help lawmakers, consumers and insurers understand the state's position on rescission. Capitol Weekly.
03/17/2010
A new study from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation finds that the percentage of California workers with job-based coverage declined between 2000 and 2008, while workers who retained coverage contributed more toward premiums. During that time, more residents also purchased individual insurance policies or enrolled in public health programs. San Francisco Chronicle, Modern Healthcare.
03/17/2010
Under a "three-share" health insurance model, a monthly premium is divided equally among an employer, a worker and the community. At least five states are using federal grant funds to launch or expand three-share programs for employees of small businesses. Kaiser Health News.
03/16/2010
On Monday, a Los Angeles jury concluded that Anthem Blue Cross of California should have covered a member's liver transplant after he went to Indiana for the transplant to avoid California's longer transplant wait times. An official for the insurer said Anthem has not decided if it would appeal the ruling. Los Angeles Times, KPCC.
03/15/2010
Brian Sassi -- president of the consumer business unit of WellPoint, Anthem Blue Cross' parent company -- argues that rising medical costs, rather than insurers' profit, are driving up health insurance premiums and that lawmakers should tackle medical costs to effectively overhaul the U.S. health care system. Sacramento Bee.
03/15/2010
The high court has agreed to review a case that could determine how much injured residents can receive in treatment compensation from the parties responsible for an injury. Currently, such residents can recoup only the amount their insurers pay for care. San Francisco Chronicle.
03/12/2010
A new survey from the National Business Group on Health finds that many large employers are planning to transfer a portion of their health care costs to workers next year. Some employers said they intend to raise employee contributions, tighten health plan eligibility or create incentive programs. Washington Post.
03/12/2010
Starting April 1, San Joaquin County Medi-Cal enrollees will be able to receive care from Hill Physicians Medical Group under Hill's new contracting agreement with Anthem Blue Cross. The deal also will expand Hill's provider network. San Francisco Business Times, Stockton Record.
03/12/2010
Yesterday, the Third District Court of Appeal upheld a labor board decision that barred Sacramento County from eliminating health insurance subsidies for retired county workers. The ruling could leave the county on the hook for as much as $450,000 in back payments. Sacramento Bee.
03/11/2010
Assembly member Tom Berryhill has introduced a bill that would permit insurers to stop covering certain treatments until California's unemployment rate remains at or below 5.5% for four consecutive quarters. The unemployment rate currently is 12.5%. Payers & Providers.
03/11/2010
At a forum for America's Health Insurance Plans, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said failure to pass health reform legislation could hurt the insurance industry in the long term. She also reiterated a call for more transparency on premium hikes. Wall Street Journal et al.
03/11/2010
Yesterday, an Assembly committee heard testimony on possible reasons why few Californians took advantage of settlements after their health coverage had been improperly revoked. The Department of Insurance said it plans to release new rules in May to outline the process insurers must follow before they can rescind a member's health policy. Capitol Weekly, AP/Ventura County Star.
03/11/2010
Anthem Blue Cross started off as the not-for-profit Blue Cross of California and in 1994 was the first Blues plan in the country to convert to for-profit status. Operating as WellPoint, the company later merged with Indiana-based Anthem. KQED's "The California Report."
03/11/2010
A group of Massachusetts mayors is working to develop a 2012 ballot initiative that would provide local municipalities with greater authority to reduce health care benefits for public workers and retirees. Current state law restricts the types of changes cities and towns can make without union negotiations. Boston Globe.