L.A. Times - Health

UnitedHealth, Aetna and Cigna opt out of California insurance exchange

By Chad Terhune, Los Angeles Times — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:59:00 PDT

Kaiser Permanente, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California are all expected to participate in the state-run market for individual health coverage.

Some prominent health insurers, including industry giant UnitedHealth Group Inc., are not participating in California's new state-run health insurance market, possibly limiting the number of choices for millions of consumers.

UC hospitals cancel surgeries, divert patients amid strike

By Anna Gorman and Maria L. La Ganga, Los Angeles Times — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:50:00 PDT

The walkout by patient care workers shuts down some services at medical centers in L.A., Irvine, San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento.

A strike by University of California patient care workers Tuesday caused the cancellation of hundreds of surgeries, the closure of laboratory stations and the diversion of emergency room patients, officials said.

Some could have gaps in medical coverage under new law

By Anna Gorman, Los Angeles Times — Mon, 20 May 2013 04:37:00 PDT

Income fluctuations could interrupt coverage for 28 million low-income people who could bounce between Medicaid and insurance exchanges. The key will be ensuring people move smoothly between programs.

When the national healthcare law takes full effect next year, millions of Americans risk disrupted health coverage because of common life events: getting married or divorced, having children or taking on a second job.

Patient care workers set to start walkout at five UC hospitals

By Anna Gorman, Los Angeles Times — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 PDT

Respiratory therapists, nursing aides and surgical technicians are striking over staffing, pay and pension reform. Citing safety, a judge rules that about 450 employees cannot take part.

Respiratory therapists, nursing aides, surgical technicians and other patient care workers plan to stage a walkout starting Tuesday morning at five University of California medical centers.

City of San Francisco, worker unions protest Kaiser premium hike

By Lee Romney, Los Angeles Times — Sun, 19 May 2013 17:38:00 PDT

In an unusual show of unity, they're demanding that the healthcare provider come up with an alternate proposal and explain the reasons for rate increases.

It's a trend many public employees can relate to: Health insurance premiums climb year after year, while at the bargaining table workers have agreed to kick in more for pensions, take salary cuts and sign on to furlough days.

Medicaid opposition underscores states' healthcare disparities

By Noam N. Levey, Washington Bureau — Sat, 18 May 2013 22:06:00 PDT

In states where Republican leaders are rejecting expansion of the government health plan for the poor, residents already have lower rates of coverage.

Republican opposition in many statehouses to expanding Medicaid next year under President Obama's healthcare law — opposition that could leave millions of the nation's poorest residents without insurance coverage — will likely widen the divide between the nation's healthiest and sickest states.

How to avoid a return to the hospital

By Lisa Zamosky — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:09:00 PDT

Patients and their families can play a big role in preventing readmissions. Here are resources and strategies to prevent complications after a patient is discharged.

The only thing less pleasant than a stay in the hospital is having to go right back there to deal with complications. And experts say it happens all too often.

Cedars-Sinai stands out for steep pricing

By Chad Terhune and Ben Poston, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 PDT

It's the only hospital near the top in every category in a Medicare report. But few patients pay the full amount.

When Medicare disclosed average charges from thousands of U.S. hospitals for 100 common procedures last week, only one hospital was near the top in every category: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Angelina Jolie mastectomy: A closer look at DNA, breast cancer risk

By Eryn Brown, Los Angeles Times — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:42:00 PDT

A woman with a genetic mutation that greatly elevates her cancer risk has several options available to her, including Angelina Jolie's choice of preventive surgery.

By opting for surgery to remove her breasts while they were still healthy, Angelina Jolie joined a growing number of women who have used genetic testing to take control of their health.

California health insurance exchange announces grants

By Anna Gorman, Los Angeles Times — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:38:00 PDT

Covered California issues $37 million in grants to 48 organizations to help educate Californians about the new healthcare law.

Covered California, the state's health insurance exchange, announced $37 million in grants Tuesday to begin the massive task of educating millions of Californians about the new healthcare law.