healthcare News

Washington Commissioner Fines Molina $100K for Billing Errors

Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler fined Molina Healthcare of Washington $100,000 on Tuesday for errors in the company’s enrollment and billing system. Kreidler’s office opened a review of Molina’s enrollment and billing system in 2021 after a significant increase in …

Small California Business Owners Polled on Legislative Proposals

California small business owners in are decidedly against three proposals or potential ballot initiatives they believe could impact their operations. A poll from the National Federation of Independent Business asked respondents four questions that are being considered in the Legislature …

2024 Oregon Consumer Laws Include Protections for Homeowners Dealing with Wildfire

Consumer protections for homeowners dealing with wildfire-related issues, property contents coverage, personal data protection and prescription drugs are set to go into effect in 2024. The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation, part of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business …

California Data Shows Nearly 1-in-5 Patients Listed as Alive in Electronic Records Were Actually Deceased

About 20 % of patients whose medical records showed them as being alive with a serious illness were in fact deceased according to California data, leading to hundreds of unnecessary interactions such as appointment reminders, prescription refills and other kinds …

Physician and Pharmacists Charged in Texas for $170M Fraud Scheme

A 13-count indictment was unsealed today charging two pharmacists and a physician for their roles in a multimillion-dollar healthcare fraud, kickback and money laundering scheme. A federal grand jury in Houston returned the 13-count indictment Sept. 7, which was unsealed …

Washington, Oregon Ending Health Care Settings Mask Mandate

Washington and Oregon will soon drop mask requirements in health care settings, state health officials said, moving to lift the last major masking requirements meant to curb the spread of COVID-19. Mandates in both states will end on April 3, …

California Workers’ Comp Research Keys on State’s Massive Healthcare Industry

A report from the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California that examines the state’s healthcare system shows the industry also accounted for the highest share of indemnity COVID-19 claims among all industries. The WCIRB releases reports on industry sectors …

Oregon Announces $17M Settlement with Centene

Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and Oregon Insurance Commissioner Andrew Stolfi jointly announced a $17 million settlement with Centene regarding pharmacy services and including allegations that the company overcharged Oregon’s Medicaid program for pharmaceutical costs. Specifically, Centene served as both a …

Report Pinpoints Top Causes of Malpractice Claims Involving Nurses

For 20 years, nursing has been rated as the most trusted profession in national Gallup polls. Even so, nurses make mistakes from time to time. A new report by professional liability insurer Coverys offers insight on the kinds of errors …

Minnesota Lawmakers Reach Deal to Extend Reinsurance Program

Legislative leaders announced a bipartisan deal to extend Minnesota’s health care reinsurance program, beating a deadline by one day in a move to hold down premiums for residents who buy their health insurance on the individual market. The $700 million …