Insurance exchange rate proposals in for HealthyCT

Insurance premiums for HealthyCT, the new nonprofit health insurer co-op, have been posted on the insurance dept.’s website. HealthyCT is the only insurer that has submitted rate proposals for 2014 so far, despite an April 30th due date. Average monthly premiums for individuals will be $427/month and for small groups $445/month. While the benefit plans…

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2013 CT Health Intern Academy June 18th in Hartford

Learn valuable skills from health professionals working in the real world of health care and policy at this year’s CT Health Intern Academy. The event will be June 18th, from 9:30 am to 2 pm at the Legislative Office Building. Free and open to anyone interested in learning more about health policy, the event includes…

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Cabinet meeting update: SIM project described, exchange plans offering low rates to doctors, Charter Oak redux?

Yesterday’s Cabinet meeting focused on the state’s $2.8 million State Innovation Model (SIM) grant. The plan is to develop a grant proposal by the fall to create a multi-payer approach to design care delivery and payment reforms that touch 80% of CT residents. The project will test innovative models to lower costs and maintain or…

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Still waiting for insurance exchange rates, UnitedHealthcare is out

Rate proposals by insurers planning to participate in CT’s health insurance exchange were due to the Insurance Dept. last Tuesday, but none have been filed according to the Hartford Courant. However HealthyCT says they filed with the department on Friday. The exchange is blaming federal regulations and delays. UnitedHealthcare notified the exchange last week that…

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Book Club: The Health Care Handbook

Book Club: The Health Care Handbook American health care is complicated, so byzantine that few who work in the system even understand its reach and rules. Two medical students from Washington University in St. Louis have performed a massive public service in writing this book. It is a clear, understandable, practical guide for any audience,…

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Health Insurance Rate Shock: What Connecticut Can Do

All indications are that Connecticut health insurance costs will rise significantly next year. Fortunately there are several tools available to policymakers to mitigate that trend for Connecticut consumers and small businesses who will be mandated to secure coverage as of January 1st. A new brief outlines state affordability options including a stronger state MLR limit, active…

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We are up to 21.5% of the way to health reform in CT

CT policymakers have completed 21.5% of the tasks necessary for health reform; most are due on Jan.1st of next year. Medicaid and some evidence of movement toward affordability on the insurance exchange accounted for the progress in May’s Health Reform Dashboard. CT biggest problem is ensuring new hopeful signs from the insurance exchange are realized.

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