CHIR Faculty

Multi-State Plan Program Final Rule: OPM's Balancing Act

Posted July 7, 2013 by CHIR Faculty

The Office of Personnel Management recently issued a final rule on the multi-state plan program in which it attempts to standardize contracting processes and state rules to, in theory, make it easier for insurers to enter new markets while limiting the extent to which multi-state plan issuers can bypass state consumer protections and preserving a level playing field in exchanges. Christine Monahan discusses how OPM has attempted to balance these competing pressures and discusses where multi-state plans may or may not have flexibility.

Evolving Dynamics of Health Insurance Exchange Implementation

Posted June 19, 2013 by CHIR Faculty

Since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, the roles of states and the federal government in establishing health insurance exchanges—marketplaces where people can shop for comprehensive and affordable health plans—have evolved considerably. In a post that originally appeared on The Commonwealth Fund Blog, Sarah Dash, Christine Monahan, and Kevin Lucia describe where exchange establishment decisions currently stand.

Figuring Out Premium Tax Credits

Posted June 18, 2013 by CHIR Faculty

Amid debate about the cost of health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, our colleague at Georgetown’s Center for Children and Families, Joe Touschner, helps us understand how the law’s premium tax credits will make coverage more affordable for millions of consumers. In this blog he shares some recently released resources that help simplify this complex topic.

As Self-Funding Remains Hot Topic in Press, States Begin to Take Action

Posted June 14, 2013 by CHIR Faculty

Whether or not small employers will begin self-funding in greater numbers as the Affordable Care Act is fully implemented continues to be a hot topic. In the midst of significant media attention, Christine Monahan looks at two states that have decided to take action.

Florida’s Changes to Rate Review: Heading Backward?

Posted June 13, 2013 by CHIR Faculty

Of the many consumer protection tools available to health insurance regulators, one of the most powerful is the ability to review premium rates. Yet, some states have made recent decisions to abdicate this authority to federal regulators. Sally McCarty discusses recently enacted legislation in Florida that suspends the state’s rate review requirements – and what it means for insurers, regulators, and consumers.

Navigator and Assister Training is Not a One-Shot Deal

Posted June 10, 2013 by CHIR Faculty

The state-based and federally facilitated marketplaces have been busy recruiting and selecting navigators, and now attention turns to training and support. In this guest blog from our Center for Children and Families colleague Tricia Brooks, she makes the case for a robust, holistic approach to building, supporting, and sustaining a high-functioning network of assisters that can ensure consumers needs are fully met.

Oh Where, Oh Where Are The Multi-State Plans?

Posted June 6, 2013 by CHIR Faculty

More than two months after the deadline for health insurance issuers to submit applications for the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) multi-state plan program, news is finally starting to trickle out about participating insurers and the first batch of states that are expecting to see multi-state plans on their exchanges. Christine Monahan shares the latest developments.

Reflections on Repeal Redux

Posted May 21, 2013 by CHIR Faculty

Last week marked the thirty-seventh time that the House has voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Sally McCarty reflects on how that news may have been received by the millions of people who are already benefiting from the law’s early market reforms and, in particular, those formerly plagued by lifetime limits on their health insurance.

Race to October: Health Insurance Marketplace Readiness

Posted May 8, 2013 by CHIR Faculty

On May 7th, the National Institute for Healthcare Management Foundation hosted a webinar on state marketplace development and the major milestones left to meet before open enrollment begins on October 1st. Allison Johnson listened in and has highlights from the panel of federal officials, industry representatives, and consultants.

Consumer Assistance and Health Reform: Bridging the Gap

Posted April 18, 2013 by CHIR Faculty

With open enrollment for the new health insurance marketplaces just around the corner, attention is turning to the critical need for assistance to help consumers understand their new health insurance choices. The Kaiser Family and Robert Wood Johnson Foundations co-hosted a panel discussion on the topic, and Allison Johnson was there.