CHIR Faculty

The Affordable Care Act’s Early Renewal Loophole: What’s at Stake and What States Are Doing to Close It

Posted August 22, 2013 by CHIR Faculty

The Affordable Care Act includes sweeping insurance reforms to improve the affordability and adequacy of coverage. However, some insurers have begun encouraging their customers to renew their coverage ahead of schedule in order to delay implementing these reforms for up to 12 months. In a post that originally appeared on the Commonwealth Fund blog, Christine Monahan and Sabrina Corlette describe how insurers are taking advantage of a loophole in the law and summarize states’ efforts to prohibit or limit the practice.

New Report on ACA Implications for State Network Adequacy Standards

Posted August 19, 2013 by CHIR Faculty

The Affordable Care Act promises consumers a more comprehensive set of health insurance benefits, but whether consumers are able to access those benefits depends in part on whether states adhere to or build upon the law’s network adequacy standards. CHIR researchers recently released a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded report evaluating current federal and state efforts to regulate plan networks. Max Farris provides an overview.

It’s Not Too Late – Options for Employers and Insurers to Limit Out-of-Pocket Costs For Consumers Beginning in 2014

Posted August 16, 2013 by CHIR Faculty

A recent Administration decision allows employers and group health plans to delay an Affordable Care Act requirement capping enrollees out-of-pocket costs. In the second of two blogs examining the decision, David Cusano reviews the rationale for the delay and suggests ways insurers and employers can reduce harm to consumers.

Delay of Certain Cost Sharing Limitations under the Affordable Care Act: What does it Mean?

Posted August 15, 2013 by CHIR Faculty

This week the New York Times reported on an Administration decision to allow employers and group health plans to delay until 2015 an Affordable Care Act requirement to provide enrollees with a cap on their out-of-pocket costs. David Cusano takes a look at what the Administration’s decision says – and does not say – and what it means for group health plans.

Why Should Health Insurance Exchanges Drive Higher-Quality Health Care?

Posted July 29, 2013 by CHIR Faculty

The Affordable Care Act requires the Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) participating in health insurance exchanges to report on quality measures and implement quality improvement strategies. In December, HHS issued a Request for Information Regarding Health Care Quality for Exchanges in preparation for implementing these initiatives. In this blog, Sarah Dash provides a real-life illustration of why these quality improvement efforts are needed.

Shining a Light on Health Insurance: Senate Commerce Committee Examines Progress, Challenges

Posted July 28, 2013 by CHIR Faculty

Health insurance is a complicated product that consumers have difficulty understanding, a common theme throughout Wednesday’s Senate Commerce Committee hearing on “The Power of Transparency: Giving Consumers the Information They Need to Make Smart Choices in the Health Insurance Market.” Fortunately, new tools are already available to help consumers shop for and compare coverage, and more will become available as Affordable Care Act implementation continues to roll out.

Don’t Be Misled: Indiana’s Consumers Won’t Have to Pay $500 a Month for Health Insurance

Posted July 26, 2013 by CHIR Faculty

Indiana officials are suggesting that people will have to pay an average of $500 per month for individual market health insurance in 2014. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ Sarah Lueck looks at the rate filings behind the press release and finds that figure to be highly misleading.

Welcoming New Arrivals to CHIR

Posted July 24, 2013 by CHIR Faculty

We at CHIR are excited to announce the arrival of two new colleagues who will be helping us navigate the world of health insurance and the new health insurance marketplaces. Please join us in welcoming David Cusano and Justin Giovannelli.

Health Reform at Work: Lower Rates in New York State

Posted July 17, 2013 by CHIR Faculty

Next year’s premiums for individual market plans will be way down in New York thanks to the Affordable Care Act. Christine Monahan discusses how a competitive exchange and the individual mandate will provide relief to cash-strapped New Yorkers.