In Brief: Social Services Posts Data On LTC Facilities; CDPH Warns Of Telephone Scam
Department Of Social Services Posts Citation Data On Long-Term Care Facilities
The California Department of Social Services has launched a redesigned website that includes much deeper data regarding the state's long-term care facilities.
The website, which was relaunched in mid-June, includes citations levied against individual facilities, as well as a log of facility inspections.
DCS decided to redesign its website and provide more data on long-term care facilities after it was disclosed that a facility in Castro Valley had left residents in the care of a cook and janitor. That facility, Valley Springs Manor, was closed by regulators last year.
DCS said it would expand the capabilities of the website in the near future to include more details about facility citations and corrective actions they may undertake.
CDPH Warns Of Potential Telephone Scam
The California Department of Public Health has issued an advisory about fraudsters claiming they are affiliated with the agency.
According to the CDPH, the potential fraud is perpetrated on Californians who receive a phone call from individuals who allege to be an employee of the agency. They then ask about medical procedures, using it as a hook to potentially obtain the person's bank account information or their medical history.
Based on the complaints the agency has received, most of the callers are males with heavy accents, and they seemed to be focused on women who may have had surgical mesh or bladder surgery. It is unknown how they obtained the information on their targets.
“People should be cautious about unsolicited phone calls regarding their personal health,” said CDPH Director Ron Chapman, M.D. “These callers can be very convincing but no one should ever give out their financial or medical information during an initial telephone call."
CDPH officials said they never make such phone calls. It urged anyone who receives such a phone call to contact the California Attorney General's office.
Scan Health Plan, Scripps Expand Collaboration
Long Beach-based Scan Health Plan and San Diego-based Scripps Health have entered into a co-branding agreement to help better serve Southern California's senior market.
Scan, a Medicare Advantage health plan, initially entered into an agreement with Scripps in 2007 when it launched coverage in San Diego County.
No specific details of the extended collaboration were announced, but officials from both organizations said they work to expand coverage an improve the quality of care Scan's 12,000 enrollees in the San Diego area receive.
“SCAN is the only health plan in our region to have earned 4.5 Stars in the CMS Star Ratings for 2014, so they are a natural partner for us,” said Scripps Chief Executive Officer Chris Van Gorder.
