Category: CHIR

February Research Roundup: What We’re Reading 

In February, CHIR used Leap Day to catch up on the latest health policy research. This month we read studies on the uninsurance rate, dynamics between the small-group market and individual Marketplace, and the availability of mental telehealth services.

No Surprises Act: Exploring the Impact on Employees, Employers and Costs

On March 7, CHIR hosted the second event in a series of policy briefings on the future of employer-sponsored health insurance, sponsored by Arnold Ventures. This event, featuring remarks from Congressman “Bobby” Scott and a panel discussion moderated by Julie Appleby of KFF Health News, focused on the No Surprises Act’s impact on consumers and implementation challenges associated with the independent dispute resolution process.

Report Shows Dispute Resolution Process in No Surprises Act Favors Providers

Last month, the Biden administration reported on independent dispute resolution (IDR) cases resolved under the No Surprises Act in the first half of 2023. In a new post for the Commonwealth Fund, CHIR’s Jack Hoadley and Kevin Lucia analyze the IDR data and what it means for patients, providers, payers, and health care costs.

Health Care Sharing Ministries Leave Consumers with Unpaid Medical Claims

Last year, Colorado became the first state to require comprehensive data from all health care sharing ministries (HCSMs) selling memberships in the state. In a post for the Commonwealth Fund, CHIR’s JoAnn Volk and Justin Giovannelli, along with attorney and health policy consultant Christina L. Goe, take a look at data from Colorado’s first HCSM report.

Stakeholder Perspectives on CMS’s 2025 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters: State Insurance Departments and Marketplaces

In November, the Biden administration released the proposed Notice of Benefits and Payment Parameters for plan year 2025, an annual rule setting standards for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplaces and health insurers. For CHIR’s third and final blog summarizing stakeholder comments on the proposed rule, Maanasa Kona and Rachel Schwab reviewed letters submitted by state insurance departments and state-based Marketplaces.

Stakeholder Perspectives on CMS’s 2025 Notice of Benefits and Payment Parameters: Consumer Advocates

The Biden administration will soon finalize its annual rulemaking for the Affordable Care Act Marketplaces. To better understand the impact of the proposed changes, CHIR reviewed the public comments submitted by key stakeholder groups. In the second post in a 3-part blog series, CHIR’s Karen Davenport and Emma Walsh-Alker review the feedback provided by consumer advocates.

December–January Research Roundup: What We’re Reading

This winter, CHIR curled up with some good reads: the latest in health policy research. In December and January, we read studies on trends in employer-sponsored insurance, expanding insurance options for non-citizens, and state efforts to improve provider directory accuracy.

Dental Coverage under the ACA: Marketplace Rule Would Give States the Opportunity to Expand Coverage

Dental care is an important element of comprehensive health care. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires coverage of pediatric dental services in many commercial plans, but the law has had less of an impact on adult dental coverage. This first blog in a new series on dental coverage in the ACA Marketplaces summarizes the legal framework of dental coverage and potentially forthcoming changes under the proposed Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2025.

State Public Option Plans Are Making Progress on Reducing Consumer Costs

States remain motivated to adopt reforms that improve affordability and expand access to coverage for populations that still lack access to care. State public option–style plans are a key candidate for consideration. In a post for the Commonwealth Fund, CHIR experts provide an update on states that have established or are laying groundwork for public option–style plans.

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the individual blog post authors and do not represent the views of Georgetown University, the Center on Health Insurance Reforms, any organization that the author is affiliated with, or the opinions of any other author who publishes on this blog.