Third Party Resources
WA releases Exchange premiums
Posted on May 20, 2013
The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) recently released proposed premium rates for their state-based health insurance Exchange, Washington Health Plan Finder. Fears of rate increases were assuaged, as the plans presented ultimately indicated more coverage at a reduced cost, attributable to Washington’s already competitive insurance market. The proposed rates must be evaluated by OIC prior to being issued on the Exchange.
Continue Reading "WA releases Exchange premiums" »
GWU study examines Medicaid churn
Posted on May 14, 2013
A study released by The George Washington University finds that churning, the process of moving in and out of Medicaid in response to income fluctuations, increases hospitalizations and costs for Medicaid beneficiaries. The Continuity of Medicaid Coverage: An Update reports that individuals enrolled in Medicaid for 12 months consecutively pay on average $333/month in medical bills, while those enrolled for one month at a time pay $625/month. The study released last week was funded by the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP).
Continue Reading "GWU study examines Medicaid churn" »
Urban assesses impact of capping tax exemption for employer-sponsored coverage
Posted on May 10, 2013
According to a study recently released by the Urban Institute, capping the tax exemption for employer-sponsored coverage could generate $264 billion in revenue by 2023. Limiting the Tax Exclusion of Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Premiums: Revenue Potential and Distributional Consequences, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, recommends capping the top 25% most expensive health benefits to raise this amount. The study finds such an option would lead to a 16% tax increase for those who file taxes in 2014, and a 20% increase for those who file in 2023.
Continue Reading "Urban assesses impact of capping tax exemption for employer-sponsored coverage" »
Oregon releases proposed premium rates
Posted on May 10, 2013
Oregon is the newest state to release their proposed premium rates for their state-based insurance Exchange. The Oregon Insurance Division posted the requested bronze plan standard plan rate on their website, and are soliciting public comments for the 39 plan options available.
Continue Reading "Oregon releases proposed premium rates" »
Brookings proposes reforms to save hundreds of billions in health care
Posted on April 30, 2013
The Brookings Institution recently released a study that indicates how value-based payments and small, conscientious quality improvements to both the private and public insurance sectors can significantly reduce health care costs in the future. Bending the Cure: Person-Centered Health Care Reform, describes how such changes could save the federal government $300 billion over the next 10 years and more than $1 trillion over the next 20 years. Brookings finds that moving to patient-centered care is the ultimate means by which future cost savings can be achieved. For a specific example, the study proposes that Medicare should move away from the fee-for-service model and embrace comprehensive payment organizations.
Continue Reading "Brookings proposes reforms to save hundreds of billions in health care" »
Commonwealth finds millions of Americans still lacking affordable coverage
Posted on April 26, 2013
According to a new survey released by the Commonwealth Fund, 84 million Americans were either uninsured or under-insured in 2012. In addition, 75 million Americans in 2012 were either actively paying or having difficulty paying their medical bills, indicating that medical debt is still a prominent issue. Findings were not bleak for all demographics, however, as the 2012 Biennial Health Insurance Survey also found that the proportion of uninsured individuals ages 19-25 decreased from 48% to 41% in 2012. This phenomenon is most attributable to the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) provision that allows children to remain on their parents’ health insurance until age 26.
Continue Reading "Commonwealth finds millions of Americans still lacking affordable coverage" »
Tavenner answers Senate Finance Committee Questions
Posted on April 25, 2013
On April 9th, the Senate Finance Committee held a confirmation hearing for Marilyn Tavenner to be the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Committee members submitted additional questions to Tavenner post-hearing on topics ranging from consumer outreach in state insurance Exchanges to pediatric dental services. Health Reform GPS has compiled a list of the Affordable Care Act related questions submitted by the Senate Finance Committee members. The list contains the name of the Senator asking the question, the question number, and the relevant ACA topic addressed.
Continue Reading "Tavenner answers Senate Finance Committee Questions" »
CAHI counts number of state-mandated health benefits
Posted on April 25, 2013
A study released by the Council for Affordable Health Insurance (CAHI) found that in 2012, there were 2,271 state insurance laws on the books. According to CAHI, Rhode Island had the most state-mandated insurance laws at 69, with Idaho having the fewest at 13. CAHI found that the national number of state insurance mandates has grown over 167% in the last 20 years, and this increase in noted as being a contributor to the rising costs of health care.
Continue Reading "CAHI counts number of state-mandated health benefits" »
MD releases proposed Exchange rate filings
Posted on April 23, 2013
The Maryland Insurance Administration released proposed rate filings for plans that will be available in the individual and small group markets at the onset of their health insurance Exchange. After examining the proposed rates and the insurance company’s justification for those rates, consumers have the opportunity to submit a public comment within the 30-day review period.
Continue Reading "MD releases proposed Exchange rate filings" »
New Kaiser analysis predicts rise in health care costs
Posted on April 22, 2013
The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) is out with a new study today that predicts a rise in health care costs. The analysis concludes that by 2019, health care costs will likely grow at a percentage closer to the national historic average, which is above 7%, compared to the 3.9% increase observed in 2009 – 2011. The authors found that the recent lag in health care cost growth was a result of the economic downturn, and pending recovery will likely coincide with increasing health care costs. The study did state that growth may be mitigated by the health care delivery-system reform attributable to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but the most promising predictor of health care costs remains to be the country’s economic status.
Continue Reading "New Kaiser analysis predicts rise in health care costs" »
Stay Connected
Most Popular Content
- State Health Insurance Exchange Navigators posted on February 28, 2011
- The QHP Certification Process in Federally-Facilitated Exchanges: Network Adequacy and Essential Community Providers posted on March 27, 2013
- Reform Overview posted on April 12, 2010
- Summary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case of National Federation of Independent Businesses et al. v. Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, et al. posted on June 28, 2012
- Navigators and Application Counseling and Assistance posted on April 24, 2013
Categories
- Congressional Action
- Disparities
- Expert Commentary
- Fraud and Abuse
- Health Care Quality and Delivery System Reform
- Health Information
- Health Insurance
- Implementation Briefs
- Judiciary
- Key Developments
- Agency Profile
- Department of Education
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Administration for Children & Families
- Administration on Aging
- Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality
- and Public Health Council
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Health Promotion
- Health Resources & Services Administration
- National Institutes of Health
- National Prevention
- Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight
- Office of Inspector General
- Office of Minority Health
- Office of Public Health and Science
- Office of the Secretary
- Department of Justice
- Department of Labor
- Department of the Treasury
- Grants
- Legislation
- Rulemaking, Rules, and Guidance
- Legal Challenges
- Long Term Care
- Medicaid and CHIP
- Medicare
- Public Health
- Tax Policy
- Workforce and Access
Archives by Date
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
Recent Posts
- WA releases Exchange premiums
- CMS rule requires MA and Medicare Part D to comply with MLR
- CMS sets PCIP payment at Medicare rates
- CCIIO provides additional guidance on Navigators and Marketplace assistance
- CCIIO releases Marketplace FAQ
- Update: Frequently Asked Questions on Patient Cost-Sharing Under the ACA – Set 12
- CBO releases new report describing budgetary impact of the ACA
- CMS publishes FAQ on ECP
- IRS updates guidance with MLR proposed rule
- GWU study examines Medicaid churn
