Health Insurance Exchange Update: Friday, September 28th

In preparation for the Health Insurance Exchange launch next October in Colorado, three Denver based non-profits have spent the past few months collecting consumer based research data. The mission of the exchange is to give consumers the most affordable options, and lower premiums. It will also be a place to compare and contrast health plans, and review tax credits. Common suggestions from the public have included: live chat assistance from neutral and knowledgeable staff; a glossary to explain obscure insurance terms; concise, visual summaries of plans in layman’s terms; and involvement from consumer watchdog groups such as the Better Business Bureau. There will also be alternative options for people who are unfamiliar or do not wish to use the internet.

After receiving a $42.4 million federal grant, Minnesota continues to develop their new Health Insurance Exchange program. The state has received around 71 million to assist in building their program. "This grant allows us to continue the technical work needed to allow Minnesota to design and develop a state-based exchange," said Jim Schowalter, commissioner of Minnesota Management & Budget, in a statement.  The state must complete a blueprint of the plan by November 16th.

The supreme court has ruled the new federal healthcare law to be constitutional, but under Propsition E citizens of Missouri will be able to cast votes on insurance exchanges. Proposition E on the November ballot would prohibit Gov. JayNixon or any state agency from setting up a health insurance exchange without the approval of the legislature or the state’s voters. However, the federal law will only allow this block to be temporary, by 2014 an exchange is required each state.

Want to learn more about the health insurance exchange? This November, the Health Insurance Exchange Congress will be held November 13-14, 2012 in Chicago, IL.  Here, state officials and health plans with the only opportunity to come together to discuss PPACA and strategize on how to make this a successful opportunity for all.  For more information on this year's agenda, download the program here.  As a reader of this blog, when you register to join us and mention code XP1710BLOG, you'll receive 15% off the standard rate!  

Progress on Health Insurance Exchanges, Even Behind Closed Doors

According to Peter Lee, the Executive Director for the health insurance exchange in California, many red states are moving towards building health insurance exchanges, even if they are publically opposed towards the idea of the federal government mandating states to build an exchange. A New York Times article from earlier this week titled “Liking It or Not, States Prepare for Health Law” had the above quote where Mr. Lee was describing the covert nature of red states moving forward with exchanges.

States are building exchanges and health plans need to prepare. The Health Insurance Exchange Congress, taking place on November 13 – 14 in Chicago, is bringing forward the most forwarding-thinking states to provide health plans, and states that are not prepared, with the information they need to excel in building an exchange strategy.

Who will have government representation at the Health Insurance Exchange Congress? These states will be joining us in Chicago: Washington, Oregon, California, Utah, Colorado, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Massachusetts.  Download the agenda to find out more about their involvement in the event.

The Health Insurance Exchange Congress will take place November 13-14, 2012 in Chicago, IL. As a reader of this blog, you’ll save 15% off the standard rate when you register to join us and mention code XP1710BLOG! If you have any questions about the program, feel free to email me at jpereira@iirusa.com.

Health Insurance Exchange Update: Wednesday, September 26th

South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard announced Wednesday that the state will not be setting up its own health insurance exchange. According to Gov. Daugaard, the only way the state would be able to operate the costly exchange would be to raise taxes or charge a fee to South Dakota citizens. But South Dakota is not the first state that the federal government will operate and fund, apparently half of the states will choose not to run their own exchange.  

Governor Rick Scott has never been one to hold his tongue regarding the federal healthcare insurance program, and in turn it’s the residents of Florida that he’s hurting. The exchange will be a resourceful place for individuals to compare plans, and also ask questions so that they can find the best healthcare plan tailored for their needs. Many governors across the U.S. that have spoken out against the program are setting their political views aside and realizing that it’s wise to keep their options open. 

Despite fighting hard against President Obama’s Healthcare law, and even signing an executing order banning the implementation of it, Idaho still lost. Since the law was found to be constitutional the governor must now move forward, but it won’t be easy. Wayne Hoffman, president of the Freedom Foundation has made it a priority that all decisions are fully reviewed and discussed.

Want to learn more about the health insurance exchange? This November, the Health Insurance Exchange Congress will be held November 13-14, 2012 in Chicago, IL.  Here, state officials and health plans with the only opportunity to come together to discuss PPACA and strategize on how to make this a successful opportunity for all.  For more information on this year's agenda, download the program here.  As a reader of this blog, when you register to join us and mention code XP1710BLOG, you'll receive 15% off the standard rate!  

Health Insurance Exchange Update: Monday, September 24th

Oklahoma State Flag

More Republican states are realizing that they're eventually going to have a to face a health insurance exchange, so they're starting to formulate them for their individual states.

Many governors are opposed to creating an exchange, however, have begun to craft one that that will fit their state's individual needs.  One case is Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona.  Although the final word of the states and their commitment is due a week after the presidential elections on November 16, they feel that a state run exchange is better than a federal exchange.  The article also notes that Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Maine and South Carolina have refused to create state-run exchanges according to the Herald Tribune.

In Wisconsin, citizens are frustrated with their Republican representatives are not on the Senate Health Panel.  No one representing Governor Walker was on hand at the hearings to hear the opinions of the citizens.  Wisconsin is one of the states who has not committed to expanding Medicaid, according to the Superior Telegram.Should they not commit to expanding, 170,000 people will remain uninsured.

And finally, in 2010, Oklahoma voted by popular vote that no person, employer or healthcare provider could be forced to participate in the healthcare system.  The Oklahoma Constitution protected them from being forced to participate in the system.  According to the Employee Benefit Network, Oklahoma has not created an exchange and has no plan to participate in the federal run exchange.

Want to learn more about the health insurance exchange? This November, the Health Insurance Exchange Congress will be held November 13-14, 2012 in Chicago, IL.  Here, state officials and health plans with the only opportunity to come together to discuss PPACA and strategize on how to make this a successful opportunity for all.  For more information on this year's agenda, download the program here.  As a reader of this blog, when you register to join us and mention code XP1710BLOG, you'll receive 15% off the standard rate!   

Health Insurance Exchange Update: Friday, September 21st

This week in Nevada, Xerox received a 72 million dollar contract to build their Silver State Health Insurance Exchange. ‘Under the agreement, Nevada's Silver State Health Insurance Exchange will use Xerox's cloud-based technology and Web portal to support the HIX website, where individuals and small business employers will compare and buy health insurance plans that meet their needs.The company’s services and technology will support billing, processing, data analytics, quality review and compliance reporting, as well as many other services.  

In New York, people are wondering how much money their premiums will actually save them. The questions about premiums raise doubts about how effective the exchange will be as an antidote for the ever-rising health care costs that keep eating into private-sector budgets. Although the numbers are eye opening, 22 percent for small businesses and 66 percent for individuals and sole proprietors, it’s still leaving many new Yorkers feeling very uncertain. 

Virginia is still deciding which benefits they will include in their basic health insurance plans. Although the deadline is right around the corner Virginia was one of the states that challenged the healthcare law. The federal health law set 10 basic categories that must becovered by health plans, such as emergency services, prescription drugs andmaternity care. But within those categories, states have flexibility todetermine a basic level of covered services and costs. Virginia also must decide whether to establish its own insurance exchange, a key component of the health care law.

Want to learn more about the health insurance exchange? This November, the Health Insurance Exchange Congress will be held November 13-14, 2012 in Chicago, IL.  Here, state officials and health plans with the only opportunity to come together to discuss PPACA and strategize on how to make this a successful opportunity for all.  For more information on this year's agenda, download the program here.  As a reader of this blog, when you register to join us and mention code XP1710BLOG, you'll receive 15% off the standard rate!