CT Health Reform
Positive active purchasing hearing
Fifteen of the nineteen testimonies for yesterday’s Insurance Committee public hearing on SB-596 were in favor of active purchasing. Proponents included the State Comptroller, State Health Care Advocate, small business and community groups, brokers, labor, patient safety, legal aid, consumer and faith-based groups. Opponents included CBIA, the HMO Association, NFIB, and the Exchange staff. The…
Read MoreCT still earns a C+ on reform
Connecticut health care thought leaders give our state a C+ on health reform again this winter; grades have varied between C and C+ over the last year. Connecticut also again earned a C+ for effort in this survey. Among issue areas only Medicaid improved since last Fall. Five areas lost ground particularly health information technology…
Read MoreExchange Board approves expensive standard benefit plan
At today’s meeting the CT Health Insurance Exchange Board unanimously approved an admittedly unaffordable standard benefit plan. The plans include costs up to hospital (inpatient and out) deductibles $4,000, copays of $30 for primary care visits (not for preventive care – that is not allowed under the ACA), $45 for specialists, and $500 for outpatient…
Read MoreBills filed to fix insurance exchange and strengthen premium rate review
Sen. Joe Crisco, Co-Chair of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, has filed bills to protect consumers in health reform. An Act Concerning the Duties of the CT Health Insurance Exchange directs the exchange to actively negotiate premiums with insurers on behalf of consumers. Other states are using negotiation to keep premiums more affordable. An…
Read MoreCT Insurance Exchange standard plan proposal too expensive for consumers
The draft standard plan proposal for the CT Health Insurance Exchange includes copays of $40 to $45 for a physician visit (CT 2011 average $23.79), $150 ER copays, and deductibles up to $3,000 for individuals and $6,000 for families (CT 2011 average $1,331 and $2,500 respectively). Better, more affordable plans are currently available in CT…
Read MoreFive large CT insurers interested in exchange
Aetna, Anthem, ConnectiCare, HealthyCT (the new nonprofit co-op plan), and United all sent letters of intent to the CT Health Insurance Exchange signaling their intent to participate. The other large insurer in the state, CIGNA, does not participate in CT’s individual market, according to exchange staff. Harvard Pilgrim did not submit a letter, but may…
Read MoreJanuary webquiz – CT Medicaid primary care rate increases
Test your knowledge of CT Medicaid rates compared to Medicare and how much they will rise under the Affordable Care Act. Take the January CT Health Policy Project webquiz.
Read MoreCT providers won’t benefit as much from Medicaid rate increase as other states
Effective January 1st, the Affordable Care Act includes a payment increase for Medicaid primary care providers bringing rates up to Medicare levels. The federal government is reimbursing states 100% of the cost of the rate increase for two years. While nationally that averages a 73% rate increase, CT providers will see only 41% increases in…
Read MoreExchange staff back off eroding essential health benefits
At yesterday’s CT Health Insurance Exchange meeting we learned about an attempt by Exchange staff and the Insurance Dept. to reduce the Essential Health Benefit Package that had been agreed to earlier this year in a contentious but inclusive and public process. Like the last process that rejected active purchasing, this process happened in evening…
Read MoreHHS approves CT insurance exchange plan
Along with six other states, CT’s health insurance exchange received approval yesterday from the federal agency providing funding. CT was among the first six states to apply to HHS for approval – 14 states have applied to date. No state’s application has been denied. CT’s exchange has been criticized for their plan to accept any…
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