In Brief: UCSF, Quest Diagnostics Collaborate; Covered California Extends Payment Deadline
UCSF Enters Into Development Deal With Quest Diagnostics
UC San Francisco has entered into a pact with the nation's largest private laboratory to develop tests that are more precise in diagnosing specific illnesses.
The pact with Quest Diagnostics will allow the New Jersey-based lab to develop any assays that are developed as part of the collaboration for commercial distribution.
Initially, the entities will focus on tests involving the diagnosis of autism and certain pediatric brain tumors. Financial terms were not disclosed.
"Advances in technology and science have identified many promising opportunities to improve outcomes through insights revealed by novel diagnostic solutions, yet fulfilling the full potential of these opportunities often hinges on translational clinical studies which validate their value," said Jay Wohlgemuth, M.D., a Quest senior vice president. "This unique collaboration between UCSF and Quest brings together the finest researchers and clinicians in the country to accelerate the development of a 'product pipeline' of scientific discoveries as clinically valuable diagnostic solutions that enable precision medicine for improved outcomes."
Covered California Extends Payment Deadline
Bogged down by a heavy load of applications for coverage, the 11 payers participating in the Covered California health insurance exchange have extended the deadline to submit an initial premium payment to Jan. 15.
The original deadline was Jan. 6. However, Covered California said in a statement that “the nine additional days will ease feelings consumers may have of being rushed to pay the invoices they recently received.” The payments must be in the insurer's hand by Jan. 15 and not postmarked by that date, according to Covered California, but Kaiser Foundation Health Plan has indicated that a postmark would suffice.
“We want everyone who completed an application by the enrollment deadline to receive our high-quality care and services,” said Ken Hunter, a Kaiser senior vice president who oversees its insurance exchange operations.
Covered California received more than 53,000 applications for coverage in just three days in mid-December, prompting it to extend the hours of its call center in order to handle the rush. At least 244,000 Californians had applied for coverage through the exchange through November, the most recent specific enrollment data available.
Brown Seeks $670M To Expand Medi-Cal
Gov. Jerry Brown’s 2014-2015 budget proposal would include $670 million to expand the Medi-Cal program by adding on to existing benefits. The additional allocation would be used to expand dental, mental health and other services.
The additional funds would also be used to cancel out a retroactive 10% cut in payments to providers. The cuts are currently retroactive to 2011 and has been a sore point for providers since they were announced.
Brown’s full budget proposal will be released to the public on Jan. 10.
