Daily Business Report: Wednesday, May 10, 2023
UC San Diego Health spotlights
SMART health insurance cards
By Annie Pierce | UC San Diego
During a recent digital health symposium, Christopher Longhurst, M.D., with UC San Diego Health, pulled up a QR code from his phone’s digital wallet, scanned it at a check-in kiosk and instantly displayed how his medical insurance information was retrieved and verified in real time, including copay amounts.
The UC San Diego Health digital health symposium was the first demonstration of the SMART health QR codes for health insurance cards initiative — a new model for digitally standardizing and modernizing health insurance cards, streamlining patient check-ins and reducing billing errors. UC San Diego Health is the first health system in the nation to pilot this innovative new approach.
“There are more than 1,000 health insurance companies in the United States, each with their own insurance card format,” said Longhurst, chief medical officer and chief digital officer at UC San Diego Health. “It takes weeks to train new staff members to decipher all those different card formats, and there are often typos, which can lead to rejected insurance claims. Having a common QR code format to scan will streamline the process, reduce errors and simplify insurance documentation for our patients and staff.”
Photo: UC San Diego Health featured a demonstration of SMART health QR codes for health insurance cards at its digital health symposium. (Photo credit: Getty Images, via UC San Diego)
Poway’s General Atomics to build
four drones that Taiwan can use
to monitor military threats from China
Poway’s General Atomics Aeronautical Systems will receive up to $217.6 million to build four MQ-9B SkyGuardian unmanned aerial vehicles for Taiwan, which will use them to help watch for a possible invasion by China.
The money will come from the U.S. Defense Department, which says it will sell the drones to Taiwan to help it maintain its status as a largely self-governing nation. This infuriates China, which says it has jurisdiction over Taiwan and its 24 million people.
City opens 2 parking lots on edge
of Balboa Park for homeless encampments
By Chris Jennewein | Times of San Diego
San Diego officials announced Monday that two parking lots on the edge of Balboa Park will be opened in coming months for “safe sleeping” encampments for homeless.
The first site, a city maintenance yard at 20th and B Streets, is expected to open in July. The second, at the “O” lot of the Naval Medical Center, will open in the fall.
Homeless people camping in the lots will be provided with security, bathrooms, meals and social services support. Homeless individuals would be encouraged to move their tents from other areas in the park and downtown sidewalks.
California labor shows off its political muscle
By Lynn La | CalMatters
If you need any more proof of labor’s power in Democratic politics, look no further than the joint conference of the California Labor Federation and the State Building and Construction Trades Council.
Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom told the gathering — “Unionize California” emblazoned everywhere — that worker rights are under threat in other states and that California must continue to lead the way.
- Newsom: “I hope you’re not taking for granted what’s happening in state after state all across this country.”
His speech followed appearances earlier Monday by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon of Lakewood, Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins of San Diego and Attorney General Rob Bonta. Atkins pledged again th protect workers’ rights, while Rendon re-upped his backing of a bill to let legislative staffers form a union.
MiraCosta College student awarded National
Community College Transfer Scholarship
MiraCosta College student Hayat Sherif has been named as one of the 60 high-achieving community college students across the country who will receive the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.
Sherif is the only recipient in San Diego County and one of just ten in California.
The highly competitive national scholarship aims for Cooke Scholars to complete their undergraduate educations with as little debt as possible.
“The Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship will give me the best opportunity possible to earn my degree in nursing without the burden and stress of balancing school and work,” shared Sherif. “It is because of this life changing opportunity, as well as all the support and guidance that I’ve gained from my mom, loved ones, mentors, faculty and staff at MiraCosta College, that I am taking giant steps to reach my career and life goals.”
Chelsea Investment Corporation founder Jim Schmid
retires, setting off a series of leadership changes
Chelsea Investment Corporation founder Jim Schmid has retired after more than 40 years at the helm, triggering a number of leadership changes at the Carlsbad company. Although retiring as CEO, Schmid will become chairman of the board, remaining active in major strategic decisions.
A respected authority in all aspects of real estate development and management, Jim Schmid is a former lecturer for the MSRE degree program at the University of San Diego, past chairman of the San Diego Building Industry Association, and a sought-after panelist and speaker.
Charles Schmid will transition from chief operating officer to chief executive officer, replacing his father. He will be responsible for more than 100 employees and a development portfolio of $2.5 billion. The new CEO has been with Chelsea since 1986, and also serves as president of the company’s affiliated general contrator Emmerson Construction.
Cheri Hoffman will continue to serve as president of Chelsea Investment Corporation and has also been appointed chief investment officer. She has participated in the development of over 125 affordable apartment communities involving over $2 billion in financing.
The new chief operating officer for the company is Jimmy Ayala, a 25-year residential development leader who has previously served as division president of Pardee/Tri Pointe Homes San Diego.
Ayala is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Board of Directors, Los Angeles Branch, and is a member of the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors.
Original Grain partners with Indian Motorcycle
to launch exclusive watch collection
SAN DIEGO — Original Grain, the renowned watchmaker known for its craftsmanship and commitment to sustainability, announced its partnership with Indian Motorcycle to launch the new Indian Motorcycle Collection featuring three one-of-a-kind timepieces. The Indian Motorcycle Collection features one-of-a-kind watches made with authentic, machined aluminum from the manufacturing process of Indian Motorcycle crankcases. Each piece has a resin inlay and preserved aluminum in the bezel or bracelet. Two of the watches come complete with a custom leather watch roll, making it the perfect accessory for road warriors and adventure seekers alike.
Qualcomm acquires privately-held Autotalks
SAN DIEGO — Qualcomm has acquired privately-held Autotalks, a fabless semiconductor firm focused on vehicle-to-everything (V2x) communications, for an undisclosed amount and subject to customary closing conditions. In a press release, Qualcomm said Autotalks’ “dual-mode global V2X solutions…are designed to reduce collisions and improve mobility. The combination of Autotalks’ expertise and industry-leading products with Qualcomm’s 20 years of automotive industry experience and commitment to V2X aims to help accelerate the development and adoption of V2X solutions to improve traffic efficiency and help with driver and road user safety.”
EVOTEK ranks high in Inc. Magazine’s
annual Best Workplaces list
SOLANA BEACH — EVOTEK has been named to Inc. magazine’s annual Best Workplaces list. Featured in the May/June 2023 issue, which hits newsstands on May 16, 2023, and prominently featured on Inc.com, the list is the result of a comprehensive measurement of American companies that have excelled in creating exceptional workplaces and company culture, whether operating in a physical or a virtual facility. EVOTEK is the fastest-growing, privately owned security provider in the nation. Cesar Enciso is CEO and founder of EVOTEK.
Astrya Global Medical Staffing awarded contract
by California Mental Health Services Authority
SAN DIEGO — Astrya Global Medical Staffing has been awarded the recruitment agency contract for behavioral health staffing needs in California by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA). CalMHSA is a Joint Powers of Authority formed in 2009 by counties throughout the state to work on collaborative, multi-county projects that improve behavioral health care for all Californians. Astrya Global will assist CalMHSA with its goal of ensuring mental health care facilities and providers in all 58 California counties have adequate staffing to meet the needs of those they serve.
San Diego beekeeper joins
Comvita effort to rescue hives
SAN DIEGO — San Diego-based beekeeper and Comvita partner Hilary Kearney, founder of Girl Next Door Honey, will join the efforts to rescue hives this season alongside fellow beekeepers. “I’m honored to collaborate with Comvita for the third year as we work toward preserving bee habitats and allowing them to thrive. Comvita’s commitment to building on years past and expanding its program to rescue and maintain 800 at-risk hives proves their dedication to bee wellbeing.” Through Comvita’s bee rescue program, now in its third year, the Santa Barbara company will support independent beekeepers across the U.S. to relocate at-risk hives that would otherwise be terminated.
Liquid Instruments integrates
ChatGPT into Moku devices
SAN DIEGO — Liquid Instruments, a leading provider of innovative, software-defined test and measurement solutions, announced the integration of the ChatGPT language model into its Moku family of products. This evolution gives scientists and engineers new ways to generate custom field-programmable gate array (FPGA) code that is instantly deployable to Moku devices, without needing any prior knowledge of digital logic design or programming. The company also has offices in Australia.
TSIA unveils first-of-its-kind
initiative called Research Journeys
SAN DIEGO — The Technology & Services Industry Association (TSIA) has launched a new research program to solve some of the most complex business challenges facing the tech industry. This program, dubbed TSIA Research Journeys, will combine in-depth research methodologies with modern business frameworks and the expertise of TSIA researchers and analysts to empower tech companies of all kinds toward sustainable profitability. Each Research Journey begins with identifying a modern business challenge and defining the core problem at its center.
EverHive hits HRO Today’s Baker’s
Dozen Customer Satisfactory Rankings
SAN DIEGO — EverHive, a trusted name in contingent workforce management strategy and solutions, has been named to HRO Today’s Baker’s Dozen Customer Satisfactory Rankings for the second consecutive year. The Rankings is a showcase of the 13 companies providing the best, most comprehensive services in the contingent workforce industry based on customer feedback. In its second year, EverHive beat its inaugural ranking by 3, placing overall 8 in the MSP (contingent Labor Resourcing and Management) category.
AI health care radio station
now streaming through Spotify
SAN DIEGO — Surgical teams have a new tool to help them improve accuracy and efficiency in the operating room with Lifesaving Radio, the world’s first artificial-intelligence-powered health care radio station from NextMed Health, now streaming on LifesavingRadio.com through Spotify. Lifesaving Radio features over 30 hours of music clinically suited for peak surgical performance. Surgical teams can receive custom-curated OR playlists and personalized shout-outs and commentary from DJ AI Angus.
Cue Health makes De Novo submission to FDA
for clearance of Cue RSV Molecular Test
SAN DIEGO — Cue Health, a health care technology company, has made a De Novo submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for full clearance of the Cue RSV Molecular Test for at-home and point-of-care use. There are currently no respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) tests on the market for home use. Pending FDA clearance, Cue’s test would provide the public, for the first time, an at-home molecular RSV test to use on people of all ages that has been fully reviewed by the FDA for safety and effectiveness.
North Island Credit Union receives certification
for safe, affordable checking account
SAN DIEGO — North Island Credit Union has become the first credit union in San Diego to receive certification by the national Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund for its checking account product, which can benefit the more than 13 percent of households in San Diego that are categorized as underbanked or unbanked. Its Option Checking account is certified as meeting the Bank On National Account Standards, bringing a new level of inclusivity, access, and choice to banking and financial education for unbanked, underbanked, and underserved community members in San Diego.
