The National Association of Insurance Commissioners wrapped up work on recommended changes to the Summary of Benefits and Coverage. JoAnn Volk provides an update on what some of those changes are and how consumers may benefit. Continue reading
In November, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) will finalize the Network Adequacy Model Act – a draft bill designed to be used by states to enact provider access standards for private health insurance plans. Consumer representative Claire McAndrew explores what the act includes as well as areas for improvement. Continue reading
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has been hard at work updating a model state law governing the adequacy of health plan provider networks and revising the ACA-mandated summary of benefits of coverage for consumers. JoAnn Volk serves as a consumer representative to the NAIC and shares details from their recent national meeting as well as upcoming activities. Continue reading
The Affordable Care Act’s Summary of Benefits and Coverage – standardized, easy-to-use summaries of health plan benefits got an update last week with new regulations out from the Obama Administration. CHIR’s JoAnn Volk provides an overview – as well as a preview of some likely additional upgrades. Continue reading
The NAIC Spring meeting tackled a number of ACA implementation issues important to consumers. JoAnn Volk shares some highlights from the meeting. Continue reading
The consumer representatives to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) released a report this week on state approaches to regulating and monitoring the adequacy of health plan provider networks. Sabrina Corlette provides this overview. Continue reading
November 15th marks the start not only of open enrollment into the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance marketplaces, but also of the NAIC’s Fall National Meeting. And many of the same issues on the mind of health insurance consumers are also priorities for state insurance department officials. Sabrina Corlette will be attending the meeting and has this preview. Continue reading
We at the Center on Health Insurance Reforms are excited to share the first of an upcoming video series on timely health insurance topics. In our debut video, CHIR experts Sabrina Corlette, JoAnn Volk, and Dave Cusano provide a preview of upcoming action at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) national meeting to address concerns about network adequacy of health plans offered through the new health insurance Marketplaces. Continue reading
In recent rulemaking, the Obama administration attempts to close a potential loophole in the Affordable Care Act – the sale of fixed indemnity insurance policies marketed to look like health insurance but leaving consumers without the same protections. Sabrina Corlette takes a look at the proposal and what it might mean for consumers. Continue reading
2014 brings sweeping new health insurance protections for consumers, but for those reforms to be realized state insurance regulators need to make sure health plans comply with the law. A recent report released by the NAIC consumer representatives details best practices and provides recommendations to states to improve enforcement and better protect consumers. Sabrina Corlette has this overview. Continue reading