consumers

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.

Health Insurance Reform under the Fiscal Cliff Agreement – Mostly Left Untouched

Posted July 2, 2013 by

The health insurance provisions of the Affordable Care Act were largely off the table in the recent negotiations to avert the fiscal cliff – with one exception. CHIRblogger Sabrina Corlette takes a look.

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.

Final Rule on Workplace Wellness Programs: A Look at the Implications for Consumers

Posted June 5, 2013 by JoAnn Volk

Employers are increasingly turning to workplace wellness programs with an eye toward improving employee health and lowering their health care costs. In this post, JoAnn Volk takes a look at the final federal rule governing workplace wellness programs and what it means for consumers.

Using Rate Review to Make Health Insurance More Affordable: Once Again, Rhode Island Leads the Way

Posted May 28, 2013 by

Rhode Island’s insurance regulators are using their rate review authority in innovative ways to make premiums more affordable for consumers – and tackle some of the underlying drivers of health care cost increases. Sabrina Corlette takes a look at Rhode Island’s most recent action to push the rate review envelope.

Checking in on the NAIC: Work in Progress to Update Model State Laws to Comply with the Affordable Care Act

Posted May 22, 2013 by

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) continues its work to support states’ implementation of the ACA. One work group is taking on the daunting task of updating dozens of model state health insurance laws to reflect the ACA’s new consumer protections. Sabrina Corlette joined their most recent call and provides an overview of their progress.

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.

In the Midst of “Rate Shock” Fears, Insurers Request Lower Rates in Oregon

Posted May 13, 2013 by

An interesting thing happened in Oregon last week after the Division of Insurance publicly posted insurers’ proposed premium rates for 2014. After seeing their competitors’ prices, two insurers asked the Division to allow them to reduce their proposed rates. Sabrina Corlette examines these recent developments and their implications for consumers.

Potential Costs and Challenges in Boston

Posted April 24, 2013 by Katie Keith

With much of the country still reeling from the Boston marathon bombings, many of the victims, as well as their families and friends, have already begun the long road to recovery. With estimates that total medical costs could be as high as $9 million, Katie Keith considers some of the costs and challenges that the victims might face in obtaining the care they need.

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.