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End-of-Life Choices

Trends in end-of-life care show that not only does the care given vary widely from region to region and hospital to hospital, but also patients often don't get the care they prefer. What can be done?

Care Management Puzzle

Chronic diseases and the cost of care are rising. Are disease management programs improving outcomes for patients with complex, chronic conditions?

No Middleman

Under the "direct primary care" model, patients pay a monthly fee for basic medical services. Learn about the history and current landscape of physician practices offering this arrangement.

Long-Term Care

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04/08/2013

Palliative Care Key Part of Berkeley Forum's Prescription

Heath care organizations in Northern California are in step with a recent report from the Berkeley Forum suggesting that improvements in palliative care could help California save $110 billion over the next decade. by Mari Edlin, California Healthline Regional Correspondent

07/19/2012

New Denials, Contentious Appeals Hearings Irk Senior Advocates

The question of who's eligible for the new Community Based Adult Services program is once again a hot topic as advocates worry that the state might limit eligibility, while state officials insist nothing has changed about their approach. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau

07/05/2012

Targeting Technology To Treat Senior Population

A new organization -- AgeTech California -- hopes to help California care for its growing senior population by making greater and better use of technology like home telehealth systems and remote medication management. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau

05/24/2012

Costs in New Adult Day Program Almost Same as Old One

The state's rallying cry when it first wanted to eliminate adult day health care as a Medi-Cal benefit was that it would save money. Now, after more than a year of battles at the Capitol and in court, the budget for the new Community-Based Adult Services program looks pretty similar to the ADHC budget that it replaced. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau

05/07/2012

Risks, Rewards Higher for Managing Dual Eligibles

California health plan officials say the experience of shifting seniors and persons with disabilities into Medi-Cal managed care plans over the past year will help as the state moves dual eligibles -- beneficiaries of both Medicare and Medi-Cal -- into managed care this year. by George Lauer, California Healthline Features Editor

04/26/2012

Successful Program for Seniors Shifting to Managed Care

The Multipurpose Senior Services Program, considered an important component of the state's safety net for some of California's most frail seniors, is about to be folded into the larger managed care system. Some beneficiaries and advocates are concerned about what the shift will mean for services. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau

02/28/2012

Concerns Raised Over Adult Day Health Care Transition, Assessments

It has been a long, bumpy road in the state's effort to eliminate adult day health care services as a Medi-Cal benefit. Now, on the brink of launching a new program to provide similar services, there are fresh concerns about how the state is deciding eligibility. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau

02/06/2012

Do Long-Term Care Patients Need a Stronger Advocate?

Change may be coming to the state ombudsman's office for long-term care, whether it likes it or not. Proposed legislation to strengthen advocacy and increase the independence of that agency has been greeted with stern resistance from the agency itself. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau

01/26/2012

L.A. Senior Advocates Stand Up to Budget Cuts

Advocates for senior health programs in Los Angeles are working on remedies to situations many thought couldn't get any worse -- until now. The governor's proposed budget prescribes more cuts for state-supported programs for low-income, vulnerable elderly residents. by Stephanie Stephens, California Healthline Regional Correspondent

01/19/2012

Financial Flexibility Could Be Key to Helping Seniors

California health officials have struggled with how to handle the state's burgeoning and expensive elder population -- the largest in the nation and growing quickly. One program in San Mateo County wants to take an unusual approach by launching a different financial structure that could benefit seniors and save money. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau

11/21/2011

Settlement Sets New Course for Adult Day Health Care

The settlement of a lawsuit over adult day health care essentially reinstitutes many benefits for some of the state's most vulnerable residents in a new program, but many of the details -- such as who will be eligible and how many centers will remain open -- have yet to be worked out. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau

11/01/2011

Advocates, Health Plans, State Eyeing ADHC Hearing

The state is moving forward with its plans to move 35,000 people who had been receiving adult day health care through Medi-Cal to other programs. However, the transition could be derailed on Nov. 8 when a judge will consider whether the state's plan adequately cares for patients. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau

09/06/2011

Hard Times for Nursing Homes May Get Harder

California's nursing homes are in a precarious state. After dealing with deep payment cuts and the likelihood that additional reductions are imminent, they face more financial problems after six leading companies were downgraded by Standard & Poor's. by George Lauer, California Healthline Features Editor

08/25/2011

Will Ending Adult Day Health Care Services Save State Money?

The state has said its decision to eliminate adult day health care services as a Medi-Cal benefit -- essentially shuttering ADHC centers and moving beneficiaries into managed care -- is a cost-saving move. But there are questions about how much money it actually will save. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau

07/28/2011

Lost Battle Over ADHC Turns to One Big Question: What Now?

Most of the 35,000 Californians who use adult day health care services don't really care about the many political and legal twists and turns ADHC has gone through in the past five months. They're more worried about what's going to happen to them -- and they're not alone in that worry. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau

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