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California Watch

News stories in this section spotlight activities in California, including actions by the state Assembly and state Senate; proposed legislation; regulators like the Department of Managed Health Care and Department of Insurance; and the state ACA exchange, Covered California.

CaliforniaChoice Adds Two New Plans For Small Businesses

CHOICE Administrators announced today the addition of two popular Western Health Advantage health plans to its coverage options for Northern California groups enrolling in CaliforniaChoice. The private health exchange, which marked its 20th anniversary earlier this year, is now quoting GOLD HMO C (Gateway 4010) and GOLD HMO D (Gateway 200 HSA) for groups of two to 100 employees for coverage effective December 1, 201

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New Law Lets Businesses Get EpiPen Prescriptions to Save Lives

Restaurants, day care centers and other businesses will be able to stock and administer life-saving prescription medicine to immediately treat severe allergic reactions in their diners, pupils or customers under a bill signed Friday by Gov. Jerry Brown.

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California Halves Medically Uninsured Rate to 8.6 Percent

California’s vigorous embrace of Obamacare, particularly its sharp expansion of Medi-Cal coverage for the poor, has has reduced the state’s medically uninsured population by half, a new Census Bureau report says.

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California Moves to Allow Undocumented Immigrants to Buy Insurance

In a move that is sure to draw the ire of Republicans, California officials are asking the Obama administration this week to approve a plan that would allow undocumented immigrants to buy health insurance on the state’s public exchange.

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Hitch Keeps Many High-Deductible Plans From Covering Chronic Care Up Front

As the number of people covered by high-deductible health plans soars, some insurers and employers are easing the strain on consumers’ wallets by covering certain benefits like doctor visits or generic drugs before people have reached their plan’s deductible.

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The Missing Debate Over Rising Health-Care Deductibles

While the political world focuses on the Affordable Care Act, changes have been occurring for the many more Americans who get health insurance through work. The biggest change: rising deductibles, which are transforming the nature of health insurance from more comprehensive coverage to skimpier insurance with higher out-of-pocket costs.

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Governor Weighs Legislation On Surprise Medical Bills

In California, it is not unusual for patients to be hit by large, unexpected medical bills when they are unwittingly treated by someone outside their insurance company’s network.

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Health Care Win for Small Business

Changes in the way small and mid-sized companies are regulated by the Affordable Care Act could make a substantial difference to more than half of Orange County’s workers and their families — and both they and their employers could benefit.

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Humana Will Reduce Its Public Exchange Presence by Nearly 90% in 2017

Early in August commercial health insurer Humana Inc. disclosed it was joining a growing list of big insurance companies scaling back participation in public health exchanges.

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The Right PEO Partner Can Be Good for Brokers

Reaching out to a past opponent can be difficult, but it can also be rewarding. It’s important to remember that people and organizations can change. A rival from childhood could become a good friend later in life. A former competitor could be your future business partner. Old attitudes fade because they need to change. It’s a new world to grow your business, ...

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