Health Insurance Exchange Update: Monday, July 2, 2012

Well, it is now official, the President’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) was found constitutional by the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court. But, many across the aisle still do not believe this is true. So, instead of living with this ruling, Republicans in the House will vote on July 11 to repeal (ACA). State officials are protesting as well, waiting and hoping for a Romney win. But, November 16 is the deadline to submit a plan to the Department of Health and Human Services. So there wishful thinking may not end well for them.

Kansas seems to be torn in two separate directions according to Ark City. Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger is at odds with other Republicans in her state to setup the health insurance exchanges. Gov. Sam Brownback wants to delay the setup of exchanges until after the November election. Kansas has not done anything to go forward with some plan. They went so far as to reject the millions of dollars in aid in order to finance the project. Stephen McAllister, who once served as a clerk for Clarence Thomas, said that this wishful thinking by Republicans is a far stretch. If Romney is actually elected in November, he needs Congress in order to overturn the (ACA). So with that being said, there needs to be a Republican Senate and House just to get the right number of votes and while they are waiting for all that to happen, here it will be 2014 when everything goes into effect.

Idaho is in a tight bind after the Supreme Court ruling according to CBS News. The state rejected the $20 million in grants in order to establish the exchanges. They were banking on the ruling of the health care ruling but now that it has been ruled constitutional, Idaho now has to figure out what it will do next in order to comply with the federal government. The state will need lenience from the federal government and quick action in order to meet the November 16 deadline. With little time to set up their own exchanges, the state will have to use the federal government for support.

Michigan is now deciding that they will take their medicine and establish the exchanges according to Detroit Business. Michigan House Speaker Jase Bolger said that the state will move forward with implementing the healthcare law. Gov. Snyder said he will sign bill to allow Michigan to operate its own exchange. However, the Attorney General Bill Schuette said he too wants to wait until the November election.

But there is someone who has a plan. 

Montana will now be moving forward with the implementation of the after the ruling of the Supreme Court according to Great Falls Tribune. Montana insurance commissioner Monica Lindeen said that the state will help the U.S. Department of Health and Human services to establish Montana’s health insurance. This coming after Republican-led state legislature to help design Montana’s own plan was rejected last year. 18 percent of uninsured people in Montana will now be able to buy coverage from private insurers with the help of state-run exchanges.

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, June 28, 2012

Minnesota State Flag

Many states were delaying their decision on whether or not to build a health insurance exchange until the ruling on the Supreme Court.  With the decision handed down yesterday that the whole law in indeed constitutional, states will now have to decide whether or not to create their own state run exchange or rely on the exchange set up by the federal government.  So where do states stand?  Over the next few weeks, we'll find out who will go with a state run exchange.

For now, here is where some states stand after the ruling:

Colorado had already begun building a state exchange. Repbulicans in the state belive the ruling was truly a good thing for their state.  Their Colorado Benefit Exchange is set to launch in October 2013.  According to Bloomberg Business Week, 13% of the state is currently uninsured.

Montana was one of the states who declined to join the others who brought the law suit to the Supreme Court.  The state believes it has done the right thing, and as a result has continued to work with the federal government in order to make an exchange for its citizens.  Bloomberg Business Week states that their private insurers now have a deadline of next fall to submit their policies that will be available on the exchange to the uninsured citizens of their state.

Minnesota will also be moving ahead with it's health insurance exchange.  Their governor Mark Dayton began building the exchanges in 2011.  It is expected that they will move full steam ahead according to MinnPost.  A 15 member task force has been working together to develop the blueprint for the state, which they will have completed by 2014.  A compelete timeline of this rollout can be found here.  And the letter sent by Minnesota Healthcare Leaders about the exchange can be read here.



New Jersey's Governor Chris Christe has stated he will still not start the creation of a health insurance exchange.  He believes that if there is a change in ruling from the Presidential office, there will no longer need to be a health insurance exchange.  Bloomberg Business Week also states that Christie will comply with any hard deadlines that are set forth by the government.

Nebraska's sentiments are much the same.  Governor Dave Heineman will be further looking at the law and decide what it means for Nebraskans. He will also keep in mind that many things could change if Mitt Romney is voted into office this coming November.  Read more at Omaha.com.

South Dakota's Governor Dennis Daugaard follows suit with Nebraska and New Jersey, stating he has no intention in starting an exchange without fully analyzing all parts of the law.  He will protect South Dakota from the harmful pats and believes that things could change after the November elections.  CBS News states that in 2010, the state had 10% of the population that was uninsured.

To get ahead of the game, join us this November to learn more about creating exchanges.  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, June 15, 2012

In today's health insurance exchange update, we find that even though some states are against the health exchange, they're still taking the measures to create one one.  and Hawaii is the first state to publicly declare that they will be creating a healthcare exchange to be compliant with the government.

Even though Mississippi is a red state, Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney says that the $20 million grant that the state received will be put to good use. According to Politico, they are creating an exchange, but there will be no standard packages, no requirements to sell to people with pre-existing conditions or subsidize the people buying the coverage. The goal of this exchange would be to help healthy people who can afford to buy health insurance find it easier.

Hawaii is the first state to officially declare that it will create a government compliant health plan. Governor Neil Abercrombie issued a letter to the US Health and Human Services Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight that the Hawai'i Health Connector would function as their exchange. According to Maui Now,  this platform was established in 2011 and has contributed to Hawaii achieving one of the lowest uninsured levels of children in the nation.

Montana and South Dakota, however, are less progressive when it comes to creating their health insurance exchanges according to Government Health IT.  Both have many hospitals and doctors who have not adopted to electronic health records.  South Dakota did receive a grant for exploration into the health insurance exchange, but they were a part of the law suit brought to the Supreme Court to determine the constitutionality of the law. Montana was not a part of hte exchange, but have accepted a $1 million grant to study their options.  Both states have really high uninsured population averages, but also a higher than average number of individuals on Medicaid.

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!

Montana governor asks to create healthcare policy for his state

Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana notced that his neighbors across the border in Saskatcewan have a population very similar to the state of Montana, but the citizens of that province in Canada live longer and also spend far less on health care.  According to Forbes, He has stated he will ask the federal government if he can set up health care on their own for the state of Montana, and bypass the current health care reform that is currently taking place in Washington.  He believes he can create a better health care plan for Montana by focusing on it's own needs.  The Democratic governor believes that this is one of the best ways to create more affordable care for his citizens, including lower prices on medicine.

At the Health Insurance Exchange Congress, officials from around the United States will be gathering to discuss how to best create a health insurance exchange that best fits each state and those who will be covered by the new health care laws.  To find out more about the program, download the agenda here.

Do you think Montana will be successful in deviating from the national health care reform?  Will this harm or succeed for better health care coverage for all?

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.