In Brief: Health Net Launches Palliative Care Programs; Sutter HMO Expands
Health Net Launches New Palliative Care Programs
Woodland Hills-based insurer Health Net has launched a new palliative care program in California following its initial success in Arizona.
The palliative care programs are being launched in Orange and San Diego Counties. The Orange County services will be coordinated with Care Choices Hospice and Palliative Care Services. In San Diego County, they will be coordinated with and provided by Light Bridge Hospice and Rady’s Children’s Hospital.
Palliative care is aimed at terminally ill patients and provides services intended to alleviate their pain and discomfort rather than continue clinical interventions that may prolong their lives. The use of palliative care has increased signifincalty in the U.S. in recent years.
Health Net said in a statement its palliative care programs are intended for patients with serious illnesses, no matter their prognosis.
“We are encouraged by the outcomes we saw from our work with Arizona Palliative Home Care,” said Marvin Gordon, M.D., regional medical director for Health Net of California. “Patients in this program experienced improved quality of life, fewer emergency room visits and fewer days in the hospital.”
In addition to the California program, Health Net also began offering palliative care services in Oregon with two hospice partners. The new palliative care programs were all launched on Jan. 1.
Sutter Health Expands HMO Into Sonoma County
Sutter Health, the Sacramento-based hospital operator that launched an HMO last year, has expanded its offerings into Sonoma County.
Sutter Health Plus became operational in Sonoma County earlier this month, officials said.
"Today's consumers demand more value for their health care dollars, and it's very exciting to be part of the solution and deliver access to a network of top-notch providers at a more affordable price," said Steve Nolte, Sutter Health Plus’ chief executive officer.
Altogether, Sutter Health Plus now operates in nine Northern California counties. Sutter Health has clinical operations in 20 counties in the region.
Sutter Health Plus had enrollment of about 8,300 lives as of the end of December, according to data from the California Department of Managed Health Care.
Senators Lobby Covered California For Pregnancy Rule Change
Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinsetain have asked the Covered California health insurance exchange to consider pregnancy as a “qualifying life event” that would allow for enrollment in a health plan outside the normal open enrollment period. The senators, both Democrats, argue this would save lives and improve maternal and infant health. But the state’s health plans say such a change would drive up costs.
