California Healthline

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Hospitals’ Best-Laid Plans Upended By Disaster

KFF Health News Original

An onslaught of fires, shootings and storms across the country last year tested hospital readiness. Now, leaders are using their experiences to address shortcomings that surfaced amid the chaos.

Judge Orders New Olympus Trial Over Superbug Death

KFF Health News Original

The Seattle jurist finds that Olympus Corp. failed to properly disclose evidence that it knew of concerns about cleaning problems with its redesigned medical scopes years before they hit the market and were linked to dozens of deaths. The company maintains the devices were not defective and intends to appeal.

Postcard From California: Alzheimer’s ‘Looks Like Me, It Looks Like You’

KFF Health News Original

At a panel discussion this week in Sacramento, patients, caregivers and others shared their perspectives on how Alzheimer’s disease affects women, who account for two-thirds of those living with the condition.

Whistleblower: Medicaid Managed-Care Firm Improperly Denied Care To Thousands

KFF Health News Original

An explosive report prepared by a SynerMed executive alleges the California firm, which oversaw care for 1.2 million patients, fabricated documents and violated state and federal regulations for years. The state says it left low-income patients on Medicaid managed care in “imminent danger.”

Putting Money Where Its Mouthpiece Is: Calif. Outspends U.S. To Market Obamacare

KFF Health News Original

The state insurance exchange is committing nearly five times more money than the federal government on ads urging people to sign up for health insurance, reflecting conflicting attitudes toward the Affordable Care Act.

Health Giant Sutter Destroys Evidence In Crucial Antitrust Case Over High Prices

KFF Health News Original

“‘Fingers crossed’ that I haven’t authorized something the FTC will hunt me down for,” a staffer wrote after destroying the documents. Sutter, a huge Northern California Health system with 24 hospitals, said it destroyed them by mistake.

California Fines Anthem $5 Million For Failing to Address Consumer Grievances

KFF Health News Original

The Department of Managed Health Care cited one example in which consumers and advocates had to call the insurer 22 times to contest a decision. Still, the complaint still was not resolved until the department became involved.

California Firm Running Physician Practices Is Closing Down as Scrutiny Ramps Up

KFF Health News Original

State regulators and insurers are looking into SynerMed, which medical groups depend upon to handle their finances and business operations. The groups, serving 1 million patients, fear a messy fallout.

Can Apps Slay The Medical Bill Dragon?

KFF Health News Original

A handful of Silicon Valley start-ups are trying to usher medical billing into the 21st century by creating smartphone apps to help consumers navigate their health insurance paperwork.