Medi-Cal

MEDI-CAL IMMIGRATION STATUS EXCLUSION ENDS

 

By  Suzanne Potter, California News Service

Suzanne Potter

January 9,2024 (Sacramento) -- Starting January 1st, California became the first state to cover health care for all income-eligible people regardless of their age or immigration status. 


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NEW YEAR WILL BRING EXPANDED MEDI-CAL COVERAGE TO PEOPLE AGES 26-49

By Cassie N. Saunders, County of San Diego Communications Office

December 8, 2023 (San Diego) - Starting Jan. 1, more San Diegans will be eligible for full Medi-Cal coverage. A new state law gives full Medi-Cal coverage to adults ages 26-49, regardless of immigration status. 

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THOUSANDS OF CALIFORNIANS LOSING MEDI-CAL EVERY MONTH; WHAT TO DO IF YOU LOSE COVERAGE

By Shreya Agrawal, Cal-Matters

Photo: JRG Publishing, stock photo

October 1, 2023 (Sacramento) -- Tens of thousands of Californians are losing health insurance every month as the state resumes checking people’s eligibility for Medi-Cal, which it suspended during the COVID-19 public health emergency. 


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COVERED CALIFORNIA ANNOUNCES BIGGEST INCREASE IN PREMIUMS SINCE 2018. HERE'S HOW MUCH

By Kristen Hwang, CalMatters

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters

Image by Gerd Altmann on Pixabay

July 27, 2023 (San Diego) - Premiums for health insurance sold through the state marketplace will increase by nearly 10% next year, the highest rate hike since 2018, Covered California officials announced Tuesday.


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REPORT: 2 MILLION CALIFORNIANS COULD LOSE MEDI-CAL COVERAGE BY NEXT YEAR

Suzanne Potter, California News Service

February 28, 2023 (Sacramento) -- Two million children and adults in California could lose health-insurance coverage over the next year - as the state winds down the continuous-coverage requirements in place during COVID, according to a new report from Georgetown University. The pandemic health emergency officially ends May first, but on April first California will start re-determining eligibility for 50-million people on Medi-Cal.

Mike Odeh, senior director of health with the non-profit Children Now and report lead author, said recipients must make sure the program has their current address.

"The state has been proactive in asking families to make sure that their contact information is up to date. And we know that they have launched a campaign," Odeh said. "So families can visit keepmedicalcoverage.org to sign up for email and text message alerts with updates about medical renewals."

Children who are still eligible could lose coverage if the renewal notice goes to the wrong address or if there is an administrative error. During the pandemic emergency, the state was required to keep all Medi-Cal recipients on the program. But now the income requirements will kick in once again. More than 56% of kids in California and 52% nationwide are covered under Medicaid or CHIP.


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LISTENING SESSIONS SCHEDULED TO ENSURE LOCAL ACCESS TO NEW CLAIM SERVICES

By Cassie Klapp, County of San Diego Communications Office

February 7, 2023 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is hosting two community listening sessions to review new services for Medi-Cal members with complex health and social needs and gather community input on how those services should be implemented. 


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AS NUMBERS OF CALIFORNIA HOMELESS RISE, MEDI-CAL FUNDS STREET MEDICINE TEAMS

By Kristen Hwang, CalMatters

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters

Photo:  USC’s Brett Feldman does a checkup on his patient Gary Dela Cruz on the side of the road near an encampment in downtown Los Angeles. Photo by Larry Valenzuela for CalMatters

December 12, 2022 (Los Angeles) - Living on the streets of California is a deadly affair. The life expectancy of an unsheltered person is 50, according to national estimates, nearly 30 years less than that of the average Californian.


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BAD NEWS FOR BORREGO HEALTH, WORSE NEWS FOR 82,000 PATIENTS: THE STATE IS SUSPENDING 100% OF BORREGO HEALTH MEDI-CAL SERVICES

 

Action follows fraud investigation, impacts Borrego Health clinics across East County

By Nikki Symington

Originally published in the Borrego Sun

August 31, 2022 (Borrego Springs) -- On Friday, Aug. 19, Borrego Health’s administrative offices, individual clinics, and others outside of the organization were notified by the State of California Health and Human Services Agency – Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) that the state intends to reimpose its 100% payment suspension on all Borrego Health Medi-Cal services beginning Sept. 29. 2022


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STATE WAIVES MEDI-CAL PREMIUMS DURING PANDEMIC: MANY RECIPIENTS UNAWARE

By Suzanne Potter, California News Service

August 9, 2021 (Sacramento) -- Hundreds of thousands of Medi-Cal recipients who experienced financial hardship during the pandemic are paying monthly premiums when they don't have to - presumably unaware that the state is waiving the monthly payments during the pandemic.


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COUNTY PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS TO CONTINUE; RENEWALS, STATUS REPORTS DEFERRED

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office
 
Photo courtesy: County of San Diego
 
Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, CalFresh and General Relief benefit payments for current customers will continue uninterrupted through April, May and June and certain paperwork is deferred until further notice.
 
The County began sending texts and calls Wednesday to San Diegans who receive the benefits to let them know about the change and confirm that benefits will continue through June.

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COVERED CALIFORNIA ROLLS OUT AD CAMPAIGN

 

East County News Service

November 16, 2015 (San Diego) - The enrollment period is now open for Covered California, which aims to sign up 450,000 new enrollees by the end of January, when the third open enrollment season ends.


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LEGISLATURE ADJOURNS WITHOUT FIX REQUIRED BY FEDS FOR MEDI-CAL FUNDING

 

 

Senator Joel Anderson urges Governor to veto spending for preschool and protecting Monarch butterflies, calls for money to be used on services for disabled,Medi-Cal providers and in-home support services

By Miriam Raftery

September 14, 2015 (Sacramento)—The state Legislature adjourned without approving a change required by the federal government to avoid losing $1.1 billion in Medi-Cal funding.  Democrats and Republicans are pointing fingers, with each blaming the other.


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NEW LAW ALLOWS PATIENTS TO REQUEST CONFIDENTIALITY IN HEALTHCARE COMMUNICATIONS

 

January 7, 2015 (San Diego's East County) -- As the second wave of open enrollment into Covered California is in full swing, individuals covered under their parent or spouse's health plan can start feeling safe enough to actually use their insurance. SB 138 - the Confidential Health Information Act - took effect on January 1st to close loopholes in existing state and federal laws that result in breaches in patient confidentiality through Explanation of Benefits letters and other standard communications from health insurance plans.


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LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST CALIFORNIA OVER DELAYS IN MEDI-CAL APPROVALS

 

By Miriam Raftery

September 23, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--A lawsuit has been filed in California, alleging that a huge backlog in processing Medicaid applications has caused suffering to low-income patients who are unable to get healthcare.


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A DOCTOR'S VISIT FOR THE PRICE OF PIZZA

 

Legislation Introduced to Boost Medi-Cal Reimbursements

Lori Abbott, California News Service

February 25, 2014 (Sacramento)--An effort is under way to restore funding cuts to the California Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal. California has the lowest reimbursement rates in the nation, at just $18 a visit for primary care services - which makes it increasingly more difficult for people on Medicaid to find a doctor.


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REPORT: MORE CALIFORNIA CHILDREN HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE

 

December 11, 2013 (San Diego’s East County-) -- More California children are getting the health care coverage they need. According to a report from Georgetown University's Center for Children and Families, more than 100,000 California kids gained health insurance between 2010 and 2012, which puts the state's uninsured rate among children at about 8 percent.

Despite high poverty rates and a weak economic recovery, said the Georgetown Center's executive director, Joan Alker, children's access to health coverage is improving through federal and state programs.


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CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS PASS MEDI-CAL EXPANSION

By Lori Abbott, California News Service

March 10, 2013 (Sacramento) - One million more low-income and uninsured Californians are closer to getting health care.  The state Assembly and Senate have passed key legislation that will expand California's Medi-Cal program and make it easier and faster to use.

Assembly Speaker John Perez says the bills are an important step to ensure those living below the poverty line have access to quality care. "People living at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty line," Perez says. "We're talking about people surviving on $15,400 a year or less."


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS

January 30, 2013--(San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL/REGIONAL

STATE

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS

December 26, 2012 -- (San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

STATE

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS

December 19, 2012 -- (San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

STATE

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.


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CALIFORNIA RECEIVES FIRST-IN-THE-NATION APPROVAL OF NEW COMMUNITY-BASED CARE OPTION FOR AT-RISK SENIORS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

State to receive estimated $573 million in additional Medicaid funds.

September 5, 2012 (Sacramento) – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced its approval today of California’s State Plan Amendment (SPA) to enact the Community First Choice Option.  The SPA approval will provide the state with an estimated $573 million in additional federal funds during the first two years of implementation in its effort to continue to prioritize an individual’s ability to reside in one’s community rather than in institutional care.


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RAUL CARRANZA, LOCAL DISABILITY ACTIVIST, HOSPITALIZED AFTER MEDI-CAL CUTS NURSING CARE

 
“I want you to fight. Fight for me, fight for the millions of unheard voices.” – Raul Carranza
 
May 19, 2012 (San Diego)—When Medi-Cal cut Raul Carranza’s round-the-clock nursing care, the paralyzed student feared for his future.  “Please join us so we can stop these cuts and save not only my life, but thousands of others,”  Carranza said at the time, organizing rallies in an effort to restore in-home healthcare services.

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SENIOR FINANCIAL CARE AND HEALTH CARE SEMINAR ON JANUARY 31

 
January 23, 2012 (San Diego) – Assemblymember Marty Block is sponsoring a Senior Financial Care and Health Care seminar on Tuesday, January 31 from 9:30-11:30 a.m.  It will be held at The College Avenue Center at Beth Jacob Synagogue, 4855 College Avenue in San Diego.

 


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HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS DECLARE EMERGENCY DUE TO FUNDING CUTS THAT THREATEN MEDICARE AND MEDI-CAL FOR CALIFORNIA SENIORS, FAMILIES AND CHILDREN

By Miriam Raftery

November 10, 2011 (Sacramento) – California, already ranked among the nation’s worst in Medi-Cal reimbursement rates, faces more steep cuts in its 2011-2012 budget. In late October,the federal government approved the bulk of the state's cuts. Now, Congress will soon weigh whether to slash a mammoth half-trillion dollars from Medi-Cal and Medicare.
 


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