Health Insurance Exchange Update: Friday, October 12

We are less than a month from the November election, and many states are still scrambling with last minute details about their health insurance exchange.

Minnesota has received around $70 million in federal funding to create their health insurance exchange, but the state is saying that it will also cost them $40 million to run the exchange. Minnesota budget officials estimate it could cost the state as much as $40 million to run its health insurance exchange in 2015. The state-based online insurance marketplaces are a cornerstone of the federal health care overhaul. The initial $70 millions was used towards creating contracts, hiring staff, and designing the exchange.

 Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange CEO Kevin Counihan's latest message includes highlights from September, and plans for the future. Counihan discusses the condensed time frame they have to work with, and is also very gracious for the patience and assistance from everyone involved. With the contracting of Deloitte Consulting, we have begun the complicated work of IT architectural design and interface connection for our new integrated eligibility system. This is a 3 ½ year implementation being compressed into 12 months. He then discusses some of the problems that the state is facing, starting with passing the ACA. Finally, although they want a more consumer focused exchange, they won't be able to customize it as much as they had hoped for until 2015.

In New Jersey, Governor Christie has chosen a 'wait and see' plan when it comes to creating a program for his actual state, but he seems to be adamant on moving forward when it comes to his own plans.The dueling priorities of the legislative and executive branches are typical in the state capital these days — Democratic lawmakers come to Trenton to pursue their agenda while the Republican governor hits the road to pursue his. Assemblyman Herb Conaway is hoping the new legislation that includes some of Christie's suggestions will finally get passed, especially with November being less than a month away.

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!  

State Spotlight: Connecticut’s Health Insurance Exchange

Connecticut State Flag

Before the SCOTUS ruling, health plan C-level executives and government programs and policy officials could only discuss what their exchange strategy should be, as the future of exchanges was uncertain. Since SCOTUS upheld the PPACA, more departments are joining the conversation as health insurance exchanges move from strategy to implementation.

At the 2nd Annual Health Insurance Exchange Congress, you will learn how to prepare for the opportunities and challenges created by health insurance exchanges. Hear from states that are at different points of preparedness to better understand what they think is most important.

If you are still strategizing how to build an exchange strategy, the Special Advisor to the Governor of Connecticut will share how the state made up for lost time in its development of its exchange in the State Spotlight: Connecticut.

Presentation: Road to Development: From a Late Start to a Leading State from Jeannette DeJesús, Special Advisor to the Governor, Office of Health Care Reform & Innovation

The Connecticut Health Exchange held its first board meeting in late 2011, with the mission to create an innovative, competitive marketplace that empowers consumers to choose the health plan and providers that give them the best value. Although they started slowly, Connecticut is making up time with regular meetings focused on different aspects, such as QHPs, SHOP exchanges and defining Navigators.

• • Identify how CT streamlined administrative processes
• • Understand how working with outside contractors can help move the process along
• • Hear where the board could have made further improvements

For more on this event, visit the webpage to download the agenda.

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 Jennifer Pereira.