Posts by Ellen Andrews
OLR reports on major issues for 2011
The Office of Legislative Research’s annual list of issues likely to be addressed in the coming session includes: · Considering alternatives to HMOs for the troubled HUSKY, including statewide PCCM · Reconsidering last year’s budget requirement that HUSKY move from the current capitated HMO-based model to a self-insured ASO model, as is common to most…
Read MoreCT insurance premiums up more than 30% from 2003 to 2009
An analysis by the Commonwealth Fund finds that single health insurance premiums in CT grew 34% and family coverage by 39% from 2003 through 2009. Interestingly, the rise in premiums was greater for employees of large firms than for workers in small firms, both in CT and nationally. CT family premiums were the 7th highest…
Read MoreSustiNet Board update
The SustiNet task force met yesterday to refine their final recommendations for proposed legislative language to the General Assembly. In an earlier survey of task force and ex-officio members there was agreement that the plan should merge state employees, Medicaid members and municipal employees. However, there was disagreement about including small businesses, nonprofits and the…
Read MoreCourant Live Chat today on why insurance rates keep skyrocketing
Join Matt Katz of the CT State Medical Society and Jackie Aube of CIGNA today at noon for a live chat to discuss why health insurance rates continue to climb. If you can’t join at noon, you can email questions ahead.
Read MoreSustiNet public briefings scheduled
Two SustiNet public briefings have been scheduled. Monday Dec. 6 6pm to 9pm Hill Regional Career High School, 140 Legion Avenue, New HavenTuesday Dec. 7 9am to noon Legislative Office Building Room 1D, Hartford A legislative briefing has been scheduled for Dec. 16th from 9am to noon at the LOB Room 2C.
Read MoreState panel recommends $140 million in health care budget savings
Over half the recommended budget proposals for state budget savings from the Commission on Enhancing Agency Outcomes focus on health care spending. The savings center on prescription spending in Medicaid and moving nursing home residents to assisted living. The Commission is Co-Chaired by Sen. Gayle Slossberg and Rep. James Spallone. Ellen Andrews
Read MoreMost CT doctors will reduce Medicare participation if rates are cuts
An online survey by the CT State Medical Society found that 78% of the 360 state physicians who responded would restrict access to care for Medicare and TRICARE patients if rates are cut. Nineteen percent of respondents would stop taking any Medicare or TRICARE patients at all, 31% would limit the number of new patients…
Read MoreNew Book Club post — The Treatment Trap
A study found that one third of people who were told they needed heart bypass surgery did not need it. Tens of thousands of Americans have back surgery for pain when there is no evidence to support it; studies have found that pain management and therapy are more effective. The 70 million CT scans performed…
Read MoreAdvocates ask CMS to intervene in HUSKY rate reductions
Two years ago, the state increased payment rates to providers in the Medicaid fee-for-service program and required that the HUSKY HMOs pay providers at least fee-for-service rates within the managed care program. The change in HMO contracts to require higher rates was included in the program’s federal waiver and capitation rates paid to plans were…
Read MoreFrom the consumer helpline: Medicaid consumers being charged
Two calls just this morning came from consumers covered by Medicaid being charged by hospitals. One was a mother on HUSKY Part A charged $281 by a hospital for services she already received. But the first call was from a man on Medicaid who was told by the hospital that they would not schedule the…
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