Health Insurance Exchange Update: Tuesday June 19, 2012

The Supreme Court decision on universal healthcare will have a ripple effect on each state, whenever the court releases their verdict. The challenges that state legislature have is attempting to take the right amount of action in case the law is upheld. But no one seems to know just how to prepare for the possibility of an upheld ruling.

In California, it seems they are acting regardless of the ruling. The California Exchange Board will meet to discuss the next step in developing health insurance exchanges, according to California Healthline. The items that are going to be discussed include outreach, marketing, and insurance coverage assisters. But even with an aggressive approach to the law, there is still an air of uncertainty that looms over universal health care. Which is why Texas is not doing anything regarding revamping their health care until the ruling is heard in the coming days.

In Texas, they do not have an exchange set up in case of a Supreme Court ruling in favor of the law, which makes people like Anne Dunkleberg, associate director of Center for Public Policy Priority, worried about the possibility of having federally funded exchanges, according to Texas Tribune. In accordance with state Attorney General Greg Abbot, the realization for health care reform is necessary for the state. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has, however, attempted to have certain measures but not Medicaid or state run exchanges.

The balance that is needed may not exist for the state. Some do not want to go as far as California, in essence taking to heart the act’s intention of providing affordable health care. Then you have states like Texas, trying to wait and see what the verdict will read and what steps they now have to take.

As a follow-up to the New Hampshire legislature entitled HB 1297, Governor John Lynch decided to sign the bill preventing state-run exchanges, according to New Hampshire Watchdog. No comment given as to why the bill was signed by the Governor, who is known for being in support of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

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 Update: Monday, June 18, 2012

Each state is on pins and needles awaiting the deliberation regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the coming days or weeks. The constant thinking among states during the waiting game is to either hold off major decisions for the judgment, act regardless of the ruling, or fight against what some on Capitol Hill deem an “unconstitutional” law. 

In New Hampshire, they have decided to do the latter. According to Heartland, the House has agreed to a Senate legislature entitled HB 1297 which would prevent state-run exchanges. Some Senators feel that this would prevent the insurance department from talking to federal officials. Others feel that this legislature will help repeal ACA. The bill will be going to the desk of Democratic Governor John Lynch, who supports state-run exchanges. 

In Massachusetts, a state that already has universal healthcare, will have its two largest insurers extend two popular provisions in the ACA even if it is not upheld by the Supreme Court. Insurers will extend young adult coverage to the age of 26. Insurers would also cover an array of services with no copayments which include certain immunizations, screening for diabetes, depression, and breast cancer, according to the Boston Globe. 

In Utah, however, they are taking backseat to the possibility of the legislature being overturn. Utah already has universal healthcare set up for residents but unlike Massachusetts, they have decided not to take any more action until a decision on ACA has been reached according to Kaiser Health News.

In Florida, they are attentive, waiting for the ruling towards the end of the month. But they are stuck between a rock and a hard place regardless of the Supreme Court ruling. In an article written for Rattler News, they describe how if the law is upheld, Florida will have to start the exchange program, identify at least two million people who would be eligible for Medicaid and distribute millions to individuals and businesses. If the law is struck down, that could set off the removal of young adults from the health insurance coverage of their parents. 

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 Update: Monday, June 4

Many states are preparing to implement health insurance exchanges.  With the final word on the Supreme Court hearing due out later this month, states are taking different approaches on how they're working with their exchanges.

• In California, Accenture was given $359 million to build an online eligibility and enrollment system for for the exchanges.  With enrollment set to open October 1, 2013, they are contracted to both build and maintain the system after the health insurance exchange is open for business according to iHeartBeat.


• In New Hampshire, the House sided with the Senate to block the start of developing an insurance system.  They've done so in part because they believe that the ACA bill would not allow for enough communication between the New Hampshire Department of Insurance officials and the federal government for the creation.  There also wouldn't be enough input from the tax payers, who would ultimately be funding the project according to the New Hampshire Watch Dog.


• In Minnesota, they believe that even if healthcare reform doesn't stand in front of the Supreme Court, it's still at the top of their minds.  They see technology as the key to make healthcare reform possible.  Due to healthcare innovation in the state since the 1990s, they believe they are ahead of the curve.  Insurance companies, doctors and hospitals have all begun working together to breakdown the barriers of previous healthcare programs.  Locals in the state do look forward to the clarity that it will bring to insurance availability through small businesses according to the Star Tribune.

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!