In Brief: IEHP Makes First Round of Physician Payments; Prime Gets Approval To Buy Rhode Island Hospital
IEHP Makes First Round Of Additional Physician Payments
Inland Empire Health Plan has begun making additional payments to its network of primary care physicians despite not yet receiving the funds.
IEHP, which is the Medi-Cal managed care plan for San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, paid out about $7 million to 392 physicians in its network. The payments averaged $18,000, but some providers received more than $100,000 officials said. The money represents the payments owed through the first quarter of 2013.
"We are pleased to make these early payments to our providers and will continue to make payments to them for the Medicare rate increase, I only wish we could have started even earlier," said IEHP Chief Executive Officer Bradley Gilbert, M.D.
The additional funding was authorized by the Affordable Care Act, which is paying Medicaid primary care physicians and some subspecialists at Medicare rates. However, the funding has not yet been channeled through the California Department of Health Care Services.
No announcement has been made as to when the money will be distributed. GIlbert said he believes it could be issued as early as next month. He believes the delay hinges on the federal government’s finalization of California’s spending plan for the money.
IEHP's move was praised by state provider organizations such as the California Medical Association.
A second round of payments is scheduled for next month, IEHP officials said.
Prime Gets Approval To Buy Rhode Island Hospital
The Rhode Island Attorney General has approved the purchase of Landmark Regional Medical Center in Providence by Ontario-based hospital chain Prime Healthcare.
The purchase represents the 24th hospital acquired by Prime. It is now operating in six states, including California, Texas, Kansas, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. It is also trying to acquire facilities in New Jersey.
Prime began targeting facilities in other states not long after some acquisitions in California were blocked by the Attorney General's office.
CDPH Launches Data Submission Portal
The California Department of Public Health has opened an electronic data gateway to allow providers to submit healthcare information.
The gateway launched on Oct. 1. About 220 hospitals – some 65% of those operating in the state – have registered to submit data. Hospitals submit information such as diseases and their outcomes.
“We’re very pleased with the response from our partners,” said Ron Chapman, M.D., the CDPH's director. “The information we gain through this effort will ultimately lead to more and better research that will improve individual and public health.”
