With Sexually Transmitted Infections Off the Charts, California Pushes At-Home Tests SACRAMENTO — California has become the first state to require health insurance plans to cover at-home tests for sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, chlamydia and syphilis — which could help quell the STI epidemic that has raged nearly unchecked as public health departments have focused on covid-19. The rule, part of a broader law addressing the STI epidemic, took effect Jan. 1 for people with state-regulated private insurance plans and will kick in sometime later for the millions of low-income Californians enrolled in the state’s Medicaid program. By making it easier and ... January 4, 2022 General, Public Health At-Home Test, California, Sexually Transmitted Infections, STI 0 0 Comment Read More »
AMA Releases No Surprises Act Tool Kit The American Medical Association (AMA) has released an initial toolkit for physicians on the implementation of the No Surprises Act (NSA). Many of the provisions of the NSA take effect on January 1st and this document provides guidance on several of those provisions. The AMA will be updating this document as additional guidance is available, as well as developing new resources on the remaining provisions of the NSA not included in this toolkit. December 30, 2021 AMA AMA, No Surprises Act, NSA 0 0 Comment Read More »
CalAIM: Why It’s So Much More Than Another New Health Program For decades, the state’s Medi-Cal program has delivered essential health services to millions of Californians, and it’s rightfully earned extremely strong public support from Californians as a result. Still, the idea of Medi-Cal as a single program is a bit of a misnomer. It is a patchwork of different health programs among an even greater patchwork of social programs. Having such siloed and disconnected services has made it harder and harder for Californians to access the kinds of people-centered care that evidence shows is most effective and is also fundamental to building ... December 22, 2021 Healthcare, Medi-Cal, Patient Care CalAIM, Health Equity, Health Program, Medi-Cal 0 0 Comment Read More »
Omicron Variant Is on the Rise Globally and in the U.S.; Two Shots Are Not Enough Anymore and Getting a Booster Right Away Is Critical SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – With the Omicron variant rapidly spreading throughout the world and the effectiveness of the initial COVID-19 vaccine series diminishing over time, the County of Santa Clara is strongly urging everyone eligible to obtain a booster shot right away. Booster shots are available, through both appointments and drop-in availability, at many pharmacies, clinics, and mass vaccination locations throughout the County. Everyone 16 and older who is six months out from their second Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two months out from their Johnson & Johnson vaccine, is ... December 20, 2021 COVID19, General, Public Health COVID-19, Omicron, Variant 0 0 Comment Read More »
Teen Parent Resource Fair The Santa Clara Family Health Plan and Blanca Alvarado Community Resource Center in partnership with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and First 5 is hosting a Teen Parent Resource Fair on Saturday, December 18, 2021 for an in-person event for pregnant teens and teen parents. For more information, call (408)874-1750. December 16, 2021 Public Health Baby, Parents, Supplies, Teen 0 0 Comment Read More »
