Posts by Ellen Andrews
Updated CT health policy 101 primer
The updated primer on health policy in CT used for CT Health Policy Project student and volunteer training is online. The primer covers background on health financing, public coverage programs, private insurance, the uninsured, Affordable Care Act implantation, SustiNet, politics and trends in CT and what you can do about it.
Read MoreBoston hospital gives doctors treatment price list
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has taken the revolutionary step of giving primary care providers a one page price list for 56 services they routinely order for patients. Doctors generally have no idea what services cost and many are shocked by the list. Just providing the information has changed ordering habits and challenged the traditional…
Read MoreAdvocates urge CT Health Insurance Exchange Board members to consider consumers’ needs
In a letter to the newly appointed members of the CT Health Insurance Exchange Board, eleven consumer advocacy organizations offered to help in their important work and urged the members to keep the needs of consumers in mind in all decisions. The insurance exchange was created in response to national health reform; most states are…
Read MoreRegulations making insurance easier to understand; Survey finds businesses expect big increase in health costs next year
Yesterday HHS released long-awaited proposed rules for the Summary of Benefits and Coverage to be given to every consumer by March 23, 2012. The Summary is a brief document, explaining in simple, consistent language basic information about each health plan offering including what is and isn’t covered, consumer costs and how they are broken out…
Read MoreComparing US and Canadian health systems
Last week’s CSG/ERC annual meeting in Halifax, NS featured a plenary session comparing health systems across the border. Despite distinct financing mechanisms there were many common challenges including skyrocketing costs, struggles to improve quality and ensuring adequate workforce. Speakers included Rep. Laurie Harding (NH), Asm. Richard Gottfried (NY), Paula Roy (DE Health Care Commission), MLA…
Read MoreAugust webquiz – CT premium and deductible trends
Test your knowledge of trends in health insurance premiums and deductibles. Take the August CT Health Policy Webquiz.
Read MoreHealth care spending growth last year matched growth in the economy – almost
Today CMS published health spending growth numbers for last year; US health care spending grew only 3.9% while the overall economy grew by 3.8%. Consequently health care as a share of GDP stayed at 17.6%. This is a significant slowing of health care costs which had increased by double digits in past years. Unfortunately the…
Read MoreNCQA slides and video online
Slides and video of Monday’s NCQA patient-centered medical home webinar are online. You can also register for next Monday’s webinar on URAC’s patient-centered medical home accreditation program.
Read MoreGov. Malloy letter outlines impact of federal debt ceiling crisis on CT and a better option for Medicaid savings
In a letter to Congressional leaders sent Friday, Governor Malloy estimates the harm to CT from proposed Medicaid state funding and GME cuts. As an alternative, he offers a proposal by MD Governor O’Malley for gainsharing between Medicare and Medicaid that would save as much as the current proposals but would improve options and ease…
Read MoreURAC patient-centered medical home standards webinar
Join us for a webinar August 1st at noon to hear from Christine Leyden, Senior VP at URAC, about their new patient-centered medical home program. URAC, an independent nonprofit organization, is a leader in promoting health care quality through accreditation, education and measurement programs. To register for the webinar, go to https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/931344113
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