SB 1135 empowers consumers with the information they need to ensure that they receive care when they need it, and in a language they can understand. These two simple steps will make quality health care more accessible not just to those in my clinic, but to all Californians.
Key Patient Rights Legislation Up Next Week
Yesterday, the Assembly Health Committee passed one consumer protection measure, SB 923 (Hernandez) on a vote of 17-0, to prevent mid-year increases in co-payments and other cost-sharing by a health plan. Other key legislation also authored by Senate Health Committee Chair Dr. Ed Hernandez and sponsored by Health Access California to protect patients from unfair […]
First Patient Protection Bills Up in Committee Next Week
UPDATE: The hearing for these bills has been pushed backed to a later date. Stay tuned for more information. (3/25/2016) When the Legislature comes back from Spring Break next week, the Senate Health Committee will be hearing two consumer protection bills, SB 908 and SB 1135 on Wednesday, March 30. Both of these bills are […]
Budget Subcommittees Review DHCS and DMHC budget items
Last week, the Legislature’s budget subcommittees on health and human services held hearings on the budgets for the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC). Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 (March 14, 2016) The agenda, which includes details about each item heard, can be accessed here. Health Access […]
New Timely Access to Care Standards Adopted by CA Department of Insurance
On March 9, consumer advocates cheered the new standards announced by the California Department of Insurance for health insurers to create and maintain accurate provider directories. The new standards also require insurers to have adequate numbers and types of providers in their networks so consumers can get the care they need when they need it. […]
Anthem Blue Cross-Cigna’s Troubling Track Records Spotlighted at DMHC Public Meeting
On March, 4, 2016, the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) held a public meeting on the proposed takeover of Cigna by Anthem Blue Cross. The public meeting was requested by consumer groups including Health Access, Consumers Union, and others to raise questions about the structure of the deal, its potential impact on California’s patients […]
DHCS Stakeholder Advisory Committee Digs Deeper into Medi-Cal 2020 Waiver, SB 75 Implementation (Health4Kids), and Other Care Transformation Initiatives
This blog was written by Tam M. Ma (Policy Counsel) and Judi Hilman (Director of Special Projects) DHCS held its quarterly Stakeholder Advisory Committee today, the first time since California’s Medi-Cal 2020 waiver was approved at the end of December, covering a range of topics, including the waiver renewal, SB 75 implementation of Health for […]
Covered CA Board Takes Big Steps on Standardized Benefit Design and Quality/Equity Measures; Considers New Barriers to Special Enrollment
Thursday’s Covered California Board meeting, the first since the last day of open enrollment 2013, offered a deep dive on the standardized benefit designs and the quality/equity framework that will guide contracting with insurers for the next 3-year cycle (2017-2019), and a heated discussion about the new documentation requirements that insurers are calling for to qualify […]
Federal Officials Approve New “Medi-Cal 2020” Waiver Renewal
Earlier today the U.S. Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) officially approved California’s “Medi-Cal 2020” waiver renewal for the next five years, providing new resources and new flexibility to deliver better care for the millions of low-income Californians who rely on Medi-Cal for their health coverage. The new waiver also includes support for a […]
Covered California Open Enrollment Started Sunday!
Yesterday marked the official start of Covered CA open enrollment, which will run through January 31, 2016. For coverage effective January 1, people must enroll by December 31, 2015. As always, Medi-Cal enrollment is open year-round and individuals experiencing any life transitions (losing a job or moving, among many qualifying events for Special Enrollment) may […]