Post ACA, 3 Communities Respond to a Shifting Health Care Landscape for Newly Insured
There’s no question the ACA has been successful in reducing the number of uninsured. But what has that coverage meant for helping more people obtain affordable health care services and attain financial security? CHIR researchers visited 3 diverse communities to find out. JoAnn Volk reports on a new CHIR study that tells the story.
Telemedicine: Another Tool in the Toolkit to Meet Network Adequacy Standards?
Health plans have been increasingly narrowing their provider networks, raising concerns about gaps in access to services for consumers, particularly in areas with provider shortages. Could telemedicine be used to help fill those gaps? CHIR authors say not yet and summarizes key findings from a new report published in partnership with the Urban Institute and with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Missouri’s Health Reform Assisters Triumph In Court
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.
15 States and DC Now Prohibit Transgender Insurance Exclusions
Three years ago, only 3 states and DC prohibited insurance companies from excluding care for transgendered individuals from health plans. Today, that number has grown to 15 states, signalling that state policymakers are increasingly recognizing that transgender policy exclusions fly in the face of medical evidence and laws prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity. Our former CHIR colleague, Katie Keith, shares findings from an assessment of state actions and their impacts.
Repeal of Small Business Provision of the ACA Creates Natural Experiment in States
Congress recently passed legislation allowing states to decide on the shape of the market for small business health insurance. Which states took action, and how? In their latest blog post for the Commonwealth Fund, CHIR researchers Sabrina Corlette, Ashley Williams and Kevin Lucia share findings from a 50-state review.
President Obama’s Budget Takes State-Level Debates over Surprise Out-of-Network Bills to National Policymakers
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
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
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.