Health Insurance Exchange Update: Monday, October 15

Pennsylvania State Flag

Many states are still left at a loss with what the government would like from them in terms of creating their exchanges.  Others are left wondering how to finance their exchanges after the government stops the grants in 2016.

In Minnesota, they've estimated the cost of running an exchange per year is approximately $40 million. With grants, they've been fine reaching that amount.  However, after the government quits giving out grants, the state government is left trying to figure out how to finance it.  According to MPR, the $40 million estimate does not include the amount of money to compensate the insurance brokers, which could add to that number.

Pennsylvania has announced that the likelihood of creating a state run exchange is now slim.  They had originally intended to create an exchange, but did not receive answers from the government as to specifics of the exchange.  They're not alone, 22 other states have signed up for exchange groups with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

Fox Business provides an in-depth look at where the Presidential candidates stand on healthcare reform.

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!

Download the Updated Health Insurance Exchange Congress Brochure

The updated brochure for the 2nd Annual Health Insurance Exchange Congress is now available. This year's program offers something for everyone, from health plans that want to plan to grow membership to states that want to make sure they are prepared to increase access to care. The 2nd Annual Health Insurance Exchange Congress offers an all-star lineup of experts making sure you are well informed for 2014.

Download the updated agenda.

The Health Insurance Exchange Congress will take place November 13-14, 2012 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 XP1710LINK! If you have any questions about the program, feel free to email Jennifer Pereira.

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!  

Download the Brochure for the 10th Annual Medicare Congress

The brochure for the 10th Annual Medicare Congress, the longest running, largest and most respected Medicare event is now available to download! Our mix of keynotes, real life case studies and networking opportunities are unmatched by any other event.

Download the brochure here.

For the 10th annual Medicare Congress we’re heading back to Arizona on February 11 – 13, 2013, and are looking forward to providing you with new opportunities to learn and network.

Attend this year's event to hear the latest updates on Medicare including:

• - Best practices for member acquisition, engagement and retention including strategies to best serve Medicare's digital customer
• - Real world examples on how to achieve financial stability through stellar patient care management and physician engagement
• - Ensure plan sustainability (and job security!) by building benefits sure to survive this period of tighter budget constraints and a growing Medicare-eligible population

As a reader of this blog, when you register to join us and mention code XP1807BLOG to receive 15% off of the standard rate when you register to join us! If you have any questions about the agenda or event, feel free to Jennifer Pereira.

Health Insurance Exchange Update: Wednesday, October 10

North Carolina State Flag

As we get closer to the election, we are seeing more news about how various parties are being affected by the Affordable Care Act and how states are dealing with these issues that concern their citizens.

Under the new law, businesses only have to provide insurance to those employees who work over 30 hours a week.  In an article at the Huffington Post, they look at how this will affect work hours and examine whether or not companies will cut back to save on costs.

In Kansas, many healthcare providers feel that the next presidential election will bring tremendous change to their system.  Those will prexistising conditions and those relying on insurance provided by the healthcare mandate will be most affected should the Republicans be elected into office.  Doctors are worried about how the payments from the government will affect their bottom line, as currently most of what doctors make currently goes to running their office and paying their employees according to the Wichita Eagle.

The San Antonio Express News looks at how insurances are preparing for the influx of business that the Affordable Care Act is poised to bring.  Maryland and California are the only states poised to be ready open their exchanges on time.  WellPoint has been making plans to aggressively sell through the exchanges as well as through employer exchanges to expand their reach.

CFO has also posted Part 2 of their series The Case for Private Insurance Exchanges.

And finally, in North Carolina, 200 business leaders have met with doctors, hospitals and insurers to figure out how to lower the cost of healthare overall according to WRAL.  They would like to make the predictions for healthcare spending year over year predictable.  The article believes there is a way to contain the 30% of spending that is believed to be spent on waste and redundancy.  They also poin tout that  the healthcare system should focus on quality, not quantity and wellness care.

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: Tuesday, October 9

Mississippi State Flag

Is the new Affordable Care Act law pushing the private sector insurance companies to start running their own internal exchanges?  Today, we see a continuing trend that insurance exchanges in the private industry are now on the rise.

In Idaho, they're examining their options for creating a state run exchange and hit the federal requirements and timelines that were set in place.  Modeled much after how Hawaii came to create their exchange, they will tinker with the Idaho Health Data Exchange to fit the needs of the new requirements.  According to the Spokesman -Review, they would need a state established private  non-profit corporation.  This currently isn't established in the state.

Following up on our story from Wednesday, October 3, CFO Magazine has an in-depth look at the current transition of many companies switching to exchanges in order to provide their employees health insurance.  They believe that these could be the future of private exchanges   It is still up for debate whether or not the having a single carrier or multiple carriers has an influence on the price.

Mississippi is a "State of Misery" where poor health, poverty and crime are all at disturbing levels.  Over 19% of the population, approximatly 19%, have no health insurance.  Although the governor has decided not to expand Medicaid, but Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney is working to get a state run exchange moving.  His goal is to create the exchange then hand it over to a non-profit that will provide the subsidized insurance according to Bloomberg Business Week.

Minnesota has created the exchange and has a prototype of what it will look like online.  Check it out here.  They are also unique as they have involved their state citizens thorughout the creation of the exchange base don these six principles: Universal coverage, High quality, affordable health care, Consumer friendly, Eliminate health disparities, Accountable and Competition according to Health in Minnesota.

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!

Much Ado About Healthcare

The first debate took place last night in Colorado, and regardless of the winner, there was a heated discussion about the future of our healthcare somewhere in those 90 minutes. Although the two parties disagree on how to implement a plan to rebuild our healthcare system, it appears that the foundation for the idea comes from the same blue print.

Romney claims that the healthcare plan he has established and executed in Massachusetts is a ‘form’ of Obama's. He also claims that he worked with both republicans and democrats to establish his successful healthcare plan in Massachusetts. Romney also cited a McKinsey study, that up to 30% of employees could be dropped for coverage through Obama's plan. The White House pushed back against McKinsey's findings at the time, noting that reports by organizations such as the Rand Corporation didn't find large numbers of companies planning to drop coverage.

Obama retaliated saying the plan was not only bipartisan, but also a republican idea. He also assured the plan would contain lower group rates,that children will be covered up to age 26, and that if you have insurance, this plan essentially protects you.   

Don't miss the Vice Presidential Debate on October 16^th at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. In the meantime check back with us for daily HIX updates. And if you want to learn more, 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, October 3

Michigan State Flag

More than just states are joining the chance to participate in exchanges.  Two major employers shared they would offer the exchange to their employees.  Many other states are also facing the challenges of running their own exchange and have decided to partner with the state government who may be working with a few more states than it had originally planned when setting out to build the exchanges.

Michigan is one of the states that had originally planned to create a state run exchange.  However, due to the lack of action from their House of Representatives and the fast approaching deadline, they will partner with the federal government to get their exchange running.  They will maintain control of the plan selection, benefit package information and more according to Foster Swift.  They can also spin off and create and exchange fully run by the state at some point in the future.

On a similar note, a report from Price Waterhouse Cooper has reported that only 13 states and Washington DC have commuted to creating an exchange.  This is quite a few more than original number the federal government had planned on establishing.  Those looking to capture the new market, which is the biggest government expansion in the healthcare realm since 1965.  Those who will be insured are expected to cycle between Medicaid and the subsidized exchange are numbered at 12 million.

And in one of the first moves by major corporations towards exchanges, Sears Holding and Darden Restaurants have announced they will offer insurance to their employees through a private exchange. They will provide insurance advisers and employees will have access to a wide range of benefits.  Health Data Management believes this will increase the competition and quality of the insurance provided.

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: Monday, October 1

State Flag of Maryland

One year from today, health insurance exchanges will open for enrollment.  For those states who have committed to how the state will run their exchanges, they are now working on the logistics of running it a year from today.

While exchanges are set up to easily represent the choices available when selecting health insurance, Minnesota is worried about how to easily understand what choices are available.  So the state is bringing in "Warm Connectors."  When choosing a health plan through work, employees can go to their human resources representative, and the state is hoping that the Warm Connector will function much the same to answer any questions that go through the exchange.  However, now the state is figuring out who will have this job.  Should it be the insurance brokers who already have an in-depth knowledge base on this topic? If so, how will they be compensated?  Minnesota Public Radio has more on the topic.

Maryland recently came to some big decisions about their basic health plan that will be offered through the exchange.  Those offered in the private market will be modeled after the insurance the state employees receive.  The state also ruled that in vitro fertilization will not be covered on the basic plan, setting the benchmark for the items that will be covered.  The Baltimore Business Journal has more.

And finally, South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard has decided that the state will be unable to run an exchange.  They will use the one provided by the federal government.  They will ask the federal government to maintain the authority to regulate the insurance plans.  The government still hasn't released what benefits that exchange will include according to the Insurance 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!