Category: Health reform
Obama Administration Delays Implementation of Star Ratings, Transparency Requirements for Marketplace Health Plans
Major New Rule Seeks to Modernize & Improve Quality of Medicaid Managed Care
One Way Insurers Could Improve Marketplace Risk Pools? Stop Cannibalizing Their Own Business
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It’s starting to be as predictable as April showers. As soon as open enrollment for ACA health plans closes, insurers come out of the woodwork to sell limited coverage insurance products, such as short-term policies, that don’t meet ACA standards. Sabrina Corlette explains why doing so is siphoning off healthy risk from the marketplaces and undermining the profitability of ACA-compliant plans.
HHS Study Shows Benefits of Shopping and Subsidies, but Costs Still a Concern
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With health insurers’ rate filings looming on the horizon, many are concerned we’ll see proposed premium increases for 2017. But a report released last week demonstrates that, behind the headlines, consumers are likely to see more affordable premiums after they’ve shopped for the best deal. At the same time, another study shows that consumers’ out-of-pocket costs for health services are steadily rising. Sean Miskell has the details.
CHIR Expert Testifies Before U.S. House Education & Workforce Committee about Innovations in Health Care
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On Thursday, April 14, CHIR’s own Sabrina Corlette testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Education and Workforce Committee. The hearing focused on innovations in employer-sponsored health insurance, and included discussion of workplace wellness programs, private insurance exchanges, and multi-payer delivery system reform efforts.
Missouri’s Health Reform Assisters Triumph In Court
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Health reform advocates experienced a win last month, when a federal court in Missouri struck down three sections of a state law that interfered with the ability of health insurance navigators and other in-person assisters to help consumers understand and enroll in new coverage options. CHIR’s own Emily Curran reviewed the court’s decision and provides some takeaways.
President Obama’s Budget Takes State-Level Debates over Surprise Out-of-Network Bills to National Policymakers
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President Obama’s 2017 budget includes a new proposal to help protect consumers from unexpected charges by out-of-network providers. In a recent blog post for Health Affairs, Sandy Ahn, Jack Hoadley and Sabrina Corlette discuss the proposal in the context of recent state actions to counter balance billing.
Insurance Company Earnings Calls—A Useful Resource for Your Toolbox
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The quarterly earnings calls of publicly traded health insurance companies can provide insights into major business developments, as well as how company executives expect market trends and policy actions to affect future performance. CHIR’s Emily Curran regularly listens into these calls and highlights how they can be useful for health policy wonks.
Report Provides (Some) Insight on Network Adequacy as New Regulations Promise More
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A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) analyzes the relative adequacy of provider networks of health plans sold through the new insurance marketplaces and those offered through state Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP). Sean Miskell, our colleague at Georgetown’s Center for Children and Families, takes a look.