Connect for Health Colorado Announces Health Insurance Rates

This week, Colorado announced the state's rates using their marketplace, Connect for Colorado. The state is providing over 242 plans, and officials are advising consumers to shop around to see which plan best suits their health care needs. Just as no person is alike, either are the premiums, and the deductibles tend to vary, that's why it's important to educate and explore all possible plans before choosing the right one.

The companies will offer plans at four levels -- bronze, silver, gold, and platinum -- plus catastrophic coverage. However, not every plan is available at every level. On average, bronze plans will cover 60% of your costs. Silver, gold, and platinum plans will cover 70%, 80%, and 90% of costs. Catastrophic plans have lower premiums but higher deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.

Consumers that are already insured or on Medicare wont be affected by the new marketplace. Which marketplace do you think will run smoother, federal or state?

Want to learn more about the future of the marketplace? At IIR's HIX Reloaded, we'll help you shape your strategy for the ever evolving marketplace. Crowdsource the agenda by voting on what you need to know to ensure success when coverage starts on January 1, 2014. To learn more, download our agenda.

As a reader of this blog you'll receive 15% off the standard rate when you use code XP1810BLOG to register. We hope to see you November 14-16 in Baltimore, MD!

Health Insurance Exchange Update: Friday, October 19

With November less than a month away some states are completing their exchanges, some waiting, and some still undecided. Today we look at Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

 This week Colorado, small businesses were assured that by 2014, their employees would have both flexible benefits and more insurance options. Patty Fontneau, executive director and CEO of the exchange, assured residents that the exchange will allow them options, not limit or minimize what they have now. “This is a Colorado concept,” she said. “And it will allow more transparency, more data. And if you use a broker, then you can still use one. It’s just easier to look at options. This type of plan just brings more power and more control to small businesses across the board. There are a number of tools that will be available, a number of choices. Businesses can choose any carrier.” Colorado will also continue to allow any small business that is currently using a broker now to use one in the exchange.  

In Pennsylvania, insurance commissioner, Joel Ario, urged the state to set up their own exchange. "I started thinking of the states as speedboats, racing around, zig-zagging, trying things, failing, trying something else," he said. "That's why it would really be a travesty if states don't actually step up and do their own exchanges, because they will be so much better at it than the federal government can be." Pennsylvania was granted over $33 million dollars to set up an exhange, and they have less than a month to set it up. By 2014 all states must have an exchange in order.

Some executives in Maryland are praising the health insurance exchange, citing that it has even improved their employee morale. If state officials have their way, about half of the roughly 730,000 Maryland residents without health insurance will obtain coverage by 2020. A key mechanism to make that happen is the state’s health care exchange, which will operate as a facilitator to small businesses and individuals seeking coverage, Rebecca Pearce, executive director of Maryland’s exchange, said Wednesday during a forum at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore. The health insurance exchange will actually allow residents to choose a plan that suits them online, not take their insurance away. They will have more control and be able to compare and contrast a plan that works best for them, but they can't do that without working together first. 

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 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!  

Health Insurance Exchange Update: Monday, September 17

Iowa State Flag

Today in the Health Insurance Exchange news, much of the focus is on the deadline of September 30 for states to submit their minimum coverage requirements. Others are focusing on November release of the government with their regulations and final deadline of creating a state versus relying on the federal government to create their exchanges.

Iowa recently received a Level 1 grant from the federal government.  A few of the items they've chosen to use their funding for to enhance the exchange focusing on the technical aspects of the exchange according to Information Week Health Care. include a redesign of their current database for both  those in the system and other who will be signing up for their services.  The will also work on integrating the eligibility system for both the Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program.

Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney has the difficult challenge of setting up a state exchange in his state.  They were one of the states who participated in the lawsuit that challenged the legality of the Act, and are now challenged with the task of having the exchange up and running by 2014.  According to Live Insurance News, One of his major challenges is the opposition coming from the state law makers, who are against setting up a state exchange.

In Colorado, they're debating what the minimum benefits will be covered in their exchange.  They're intent on providing their citizens with a "Colorado Specific Solution".  Their state work group has reviewed 10 options and received feedback from industry and consumer advocates.  For more information on Colorado's success in creating their exchange, visit Kaiser Health News.

And finally, The Maryland Health Connection has unveiled it's official exchange name, logo and webpage.  In addition to the announcement about the name, logo and webpage, Lt Governor Anthony Brown announced that the state also received a federal grant of $123 to help build the webpage according to the Washington Post.

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 Roundup: Monday, August 29

Healthcare Exchanges are the hot topic in today’s healthcare landscape as well as national news. With states mandated to have a plan in place by January 1, 2013, and a functioning system by January 1, 2014, the majority are trying to figure how they will implement this system. Check here every afternoon for the latest opinions and news on the health exchange.

The top news from Monday, August 29, is that Western Pennsylvania has adopted the exchange process and Montana is looking at partnership with the government to create theirs. Click on the article below to learn more. 

KRTV Great Falls: Montana can partner with feds on health insurance exchange

LA Times: Putting health coverage within reach

The Colorado Statesman: Health care exchange watch dog growls about the role of the feds

Sun Harold (Mississippi): Health exchange will offer options

The Health Insurance Exchange Congress is the only place for states and health plans to come together as one and discuss the current challenges and opportunities associated with health insurance Exchanges. For more information about joining us, visit our webpage.