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State highlights: Calif. health insurers and contraception coverage; Alaska sues Xerox over Medicaid payment systems

Health insurance policies in California will have to cover all federally approved contraceptives for women by 2016 without charging co-payments under legislation signed this week by Gov. Jerry Brown, countering trends in other states and the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill, SB1053 by Sen. Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles, expands state laws that required coverage for most birth-control drugs and devices approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The new law mandates coverage for all FDA-approved contraception, prohibits co-payments and includes managed-care Medi-Cal plans, which are not expressly covered by current laws (Egelko, 9/27).

30 Sep 2014

First-in-kind study evaluates health outcomes of women sexual assault survivors

One in 5 U.S. women experience sexual assault during their lifetime, yet little is known about the experiences and health outcomes of sexual assault survivors. A new study seeks to change that.

30 Sep 2014

Majority of Americans find the health law hard to understand, poll finds

An Associated Press-GfK poll finds that nearly 75 percent of Americans find the overhaul "difficult" and nearly half say it is "very hard" to understand. However, health care remains a key issue. In California, there's an effort, for instance, to target messages that include access to health care in outreach to the much-sought-after female voters. Meanwhile, efforts to undo the health law will remain high on the GOP to-do list if Republcans gain control of the Senate.

30 Sep 2014

Insurers, hospitals hunt for leaders in customer service

It's a great time to be in the hospitality industry ... if you want to go into health care. In case you haven't noticed, health care is becoming more consumer-focused by the day, and in a fight for our business, insurers and health care providers are hunting for executives whose business is customer service -- making sure once we walk through the door, we stay (Gorenstein, 9/26).

30 Sep 2014

Report: Finding care is difficult for some new Medicaid enrollees

State standards for access to care for Medicaid recipients vary widely and are rarely enforced, says a soon-to-be released report by the Health and Human Services Department's inspector general. Meanwhile, Tennessee's governor pursues Medicaid expansion talks, and confusion continues in Pennsylvania about what benefits will be available to enrollees in that state's expansion plan.

30 Sep 2014

Aspen Dental expands operations with a new dental office in Hermitage, Tennessee

A new Aspen Dental office is opening in Hermitage, TN on Thursday, October 2. Located at 4054 Lebanon Pike, the conveniently located practice will provide dental services that range from implant services and dentures to general dentistry and restoration.

30 Sep 2014

Apexus secures HRSA contract, continues to serve as prime vendor of 340B Drug Pricing Program

Apexus, LLC, the prime vendor for the 340B Drug Pricing Program, has announced that it has been selected by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to continue serving in its role as the prime vendor through September 29, 2019.

30 Sep 2014

Novel project to develop new models of care for depression in older adults

UC Davis and the University of Washington are implementing a project to develop innovative new models of care for depression in older adults through a $2.5 million grant from the California-based Archstone Foundation, a private grant-making organization whose mission is to contribute toward the preparation of society in meeting the needs of an aging population.

30 Sep 2014

Health plan narrow networks to continue in 2015

The Los Angeles Times reports that, for Californians, the state's largest insurers are likely to stick with, or even reduce, the size of their doctor networks for the upcoming plan season. Additionally, no comprehensive directory is available to help consumers match their physicians with their health plans. Meanwhile, The Washington Post also explores how the issue is playing out in the context of a ballot initiative.

30 Sep 2014

Specific nurse-to-patient staffing standards lower job-related injuries, illnesses for nurses

A 2004 California law mandating specific nurse-to-patient staffing standards in acute care hospitals significantly lowered job-related injuries and illnesses for both registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, according to UC Davis research published online in the International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health.

30 Sep 2014

New Aspen Dental office opened in Sebring, Florida

A new Aspen Dental office is opening in Sebring, FL on Thursday, October 2. Located at 1855 US 27 North, the conveniently located practice will provide dental services that range from dentures and preventive care to general dentistry and restoration.

30 Sep 2014

Pharmacy Value Management Solutions and Jeff Liva sign marketing deal

Advanzeon Solutions, Inc., ("Advanzeon" or the "Company"), which provides behavioral health, wellness, pharmacy management services and sleep apnea programs, to employers, Taft-Hartley health and welfare funds, managed care companies throughout the U.S. today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pharmacy Value Management Solutions, Inc. ("PVMS"), has entered into a marketing agreement (the "Agreement") with Jeff Liva & Co. ("Dr. Liva"), whereby Dr. Liva, through his Preventive PLUS division will, among other things, introduce the Company's programs to his existing and potential clients and recommend the programs for inclusion in his clients' healthcare benefit packages.

30 Sep 2014

Guerbet wins Drug Shortage Assistance Award from FDA

Guerbet, a pioneer in the field of contrast agents for medical imaging, has received a Drug Shortage Assistance Award from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its assistance in preventing or alleviating a drug shortage.

29 Sep 2014

Drugmakers boost generic drug prices

A big increase in generic drug prices is forcing some patients to go without, reports CBS Boston. Meanwhile, U.S. News & World Report teases out some of the reasons for the slowdown in health care costs.

29 Sep 2014

CVS to pay $6M to settle Medicaid reimbursement case

Caremark LLC, a unit of CVS, will make the payments to settle allegations that it knowingly failed to reimburse Medicaid for prescription drug costs paid on behalf of patients who were also covered by private plans it administered. The company denied wrongdoing.

29 Sep 2014