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!   

Health Insurance Exchange Update: Thursday, September 20th

As we are well into September, some states are still scrambling to create a new blue print for their health insurance exchange, while others are already planning for the future. Today we look at New York, Nebraska, and Vermont.

As we approach October 1st, NYS officials are just weeks away from finalizing a proposal that balances both affordability and essential benefits. NYS is still undecided in regards to the merging of markets, role of insurance brokers, essential benefits, and if they should offer a Basic Health Plan. The state must come to a decisions soon, especially because they must finalize their blue print by November 16th.

The state of Nebraska is looking for a qualified contractorto build and operate its health insurance exchange to be administered by the Nebraska Department of Insurance (NDI) The contractor will design, develop and implement an exchange that combines the individual exchange and the Small Business Health Options Program exchange into one interface. According to the RFP, the state has completed an initial design, but essentially, the hired contractor will be the one to create and execute the new plan.

Vermont has set a time line to properly implement their Vermont Health Benefit Exchange for the future. The state is also choosing to follow the individual over the employer. According to the Vermont Department of Vermont Health Access website, Vermont is on the path to accomplishing what no other state in the nation has even attempted: to create a system in which health care is treated as a right and not a privilege, costs are contained by finding efficiencies in the system and spending money more wisely, and health coverage follows the individual and isn’t tied to employment. Their infrastructure's guidelines extend all the way to the year 2017. 

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!