Health Insurance Exchanges are Here to Stay!

Now that President Barack Obama has been elected for a second term in office, it has become even clearer that we need to get to work now to ensure exchanges are ready for January 1, 2014.

Over the upcoming weeks and months, the federal government will continue to roll out regulations, and begin to implement the healthcare reform law. It is vital that we prepare now: either beginning to move forward or continuing on the path to reform implementation.

The Health Insurance Exchange Congress is the FIRST conference following the election. If you are ready to be informed on the future of the healthcare reform, this event is not to be missed! You will walk away with a deep understanding of how states and healthcare plans are addressing the challenges and questions you are facing now.

For more information on the event, download the agenda. The Health Insurance Exchange Congress takes place next week November 13-14 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 kdevery@iirusa.com or visit the homepage.

Best,

The Healthcare Reform and Health Insurance Exchanges Team

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Health Insurance Exchange Update: Tuesday, June 12, 2012

In the latest news regarding state’s health care exchanges, there is still uncertainty that looms over the Supreme Court decision of Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how to go about the possible exchanges. Some states are preparing for the possibility of the ACA being upheld in the Supreme Court. 

In California, The California Healthcare Foundation and a group of investors released a technical prototype and a road map for states and the federal government to create health insurance exchange. This new system is called the Enroll UX 2014 and it offers a blueprint for an online process for application, eligibility determination, enrollment and health plan selection. The Enroll UX 2014 can be customized by states to be the public face of their health insurance exchanges, according to Healthcare It News.

California is not the only state that is participating in Enroll UX 2014; Illinois, Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Alabama decided to join in case of an upheld ruling from the nine justices this summer.

In Oregon, a survey was composed of small business backing the health insurance exchange. Oregon has put aside a health insurance exchange that would provide a marketplace through 2014, allowing consumers to compare cost according to Portland Business Journal. 

However, there are states that are not as eager to take the route of a California and company to prepare for the possibility of an upheld Supreme Court ruling. 

In Maine, State Republican Senators passed a bill that creates a network of licensed “navigators” to help the citizens of Maine in the tricky world of insurance. This bill will not take effect unless the Affordable Care Act is upheld. Some Republicans feel that with this bill, they can be protected if the government sets up an exchange, where as some Democrats feel that there will not be enough time to set up this complex system, according to the Morning Sentinel. 

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.  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: September 1

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.

Here's today's news:

Fox Illinois: Few want state to run Illinois’ health-care exchanges  
WRDW-TV Augusta (Georgia): Gov. Haley says she will not apply for healthcare funds
LA Times: South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley rejects health insurance exchange funds
The Bismark Tribute (North Dakota): Crowd gives mixed take on insurance exchanges
Peninsula Clarion (Alaska): State moving ahead with health exchange plan

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.

Health Insurance Exchange Roundup: Wednesday, August 31

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.

Here's today's news:

Des Moines Register: Wellmark undecided on insurance exchange

Becker's ASC Review: Kansas Signs $135M Contract to Build Alternative to Health Insurance Exchange

Saint Louis Today: Missouri needs a strong health insurance exchange

The Greater Lansing Monthly Business: Major Healthcare Policy Changes: What Employers Need to Know

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.

Is the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional?

Late last week, the 11th Circuit  US Court of Appeals ruled that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional due to the fact that it forces all Americans to enter into a contract with a private institution.  This was the first unconstitutional ruling from a Democratic judge.  This case is not settled, as the US Court of Appeals in Virginia and Washington, DC, are going to rule on this law later this fall.  It is likely that the US Supreme Court will have to serve final say on whether the ACA is valid or not.

The Supreme Court does have options, though according to the Wall Street Journal: Should the Supreme Court adopt that reasoning on "severability"—leaving the law in place except for the mandate—it could throw the health-insurance market into turmoil. That's because other parts of the law require health insurers to accept all prospective customers, even those who are already ill. In the drafting of the legislation, insurers were willing to accept the provision only if they were guaranteed an influx of millions of new customers through the coverage mandate. Minus the mandate, the law could encourage people to wait until they were sick to acquire coverage, and the partisan divide in Congress could make it difficult to amend the law to fix that problem.


The Hub took a moment to explain the current situation:



This November at the Healthcare Insurance Exchange Congress, Andrew Berenato, Director of Government & Corporate Relations, Southern Region, AmeriHealth Mercy, will be leading a panel of experts to debate the Healthcare Exchanges and the ACA. For more information the event,download the brochure.

 Do you think the ACA is infringing on individuals’ rights by penalizing those who don’t want insurance?