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!  

Health Insurance Exchange Update: Friday, October 5

The first presidential debate took place this week, and while many states are finalizing their programs, some states are still deciding which health insurance program is right for them.

New Jersey has until the 16^th of November to determine whether it will create its own marketplace or not and Senator Christie seems to be in no rush to make a decision. “I won’t make a decision until I have to. I don’t have to make one until the 16th, so I want to make sure I’m as fully informed as I can be,” he said. “That’s ultimately our call.It’s an executive branch call and we’ll make the call,” said Christie. Part of the bill has been cleared by the senate, as of Thursday 21 to 17. However, some are still arguing that patients will not benefit from the bill. 

Vermont has approved six insurance plans, and recently denied dental coverage to the Vermont Health Benefits Exchange. However, the premiums, which won’t be decided until next summer, are causing concern for many. The board is concerned that two of the six plans will leaveVermont’s low-income residents with high health care costs in times of greatestneed. At the end of the meeting, board member Al Gobeille proposed that the board hire a professional to analyze current access to dental care, how it is financed and how it is organized. By November 15^th they are expected to have an outline.

The state of Washington decided to prepare early when considering which health insurance program would work best for them. They predict that their program will be used as an example when other states create their federal exchanges. It will have the one-stop function for qualifying and applying for Medicaid, the children’s state health insurance program, an insurance plan, cost-sharing reductions and tax credits, as well asa shopping tool to compare plans and coverage. Many states are comparing the exchange to travel sites because there will be options that suit the needs of each individual.

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: Wednesday, September 19

State flag of Kentucky

While some states are outgrowing their original health insurance exchange plans, other companies are partnering up to help make insurance's move to the health insurance exchange system easier.  As deadlines loom - each state faces different decisions.  What will each state do for health insurance?

In New Jersey, the Senator Nia Gill (D-Montclair), Senator and Dawn Marie Addiego (R-Medford) and Assemblyman Herb Conaway (D-Delran) discussed how they implement a health insurance exchange in a state where Governor Chris Christie vetoed the creation of it. New Jersey Biz has a more in depth look at what at the challenges that New Jersey is facing.

A recent letter from Pennsylvania’s Insurance Commissioner, Michael Consedine to the HHS shares that they haven't made much progress in Pennsylvania in terms of their own state run exchange. His concerns follow that of many states - that not enough guidance in creating a state exchange has been given by the federal government. It also shares Consedine's concern for the current insurances in the state as well as the worry that the state won't be able to support the Exchange by 2015 according to the Public Health Esquire blog.

In Kentucky, a nineteen member health insurance exchange board has been created to guide the state in creating an exchange.Governor Steve Beshear. The board includes major hospitals and advocate groups. They will review policies and make recommendations for the exchange according to WFPL.

And finally, Xerox and HealthPlan have teamed up in order to make adopting the different state exchanges easier. The new agreement will allow insurances to comply with all exchanges without having to individually change their settings according to each state according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

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!