healthcare markets
CT medical debt levels declining, new state law will help even more
The percent of Connecticut residents with medical debt is coming down, but it still affects one in 28 of us, according to a fascinating new tool from the Urban Institute. In a survey last year, 3.5% of Connecticut residents (blue line) reported they have medical debt that has been referred to collections, down from 8.6%…
Read MoreAnalysis: Newest Hartford Healthcare lawsuit adds a critical twist
Yet another lawsuit against Hartford Healthcare (HHC) may seem obscure and limited to healthcare, but it goes much further. There is overwhelming evidence that prices for care at huge health systems like HHC are driving up healthcare prices for private health plans in Connecticut and it’s getting worse. The third anti-trust lawsuit against HHC outlines…
Read MorenoHuskyMCOs webinar for advocates online
A recording and slides from yesterdays’ noHuskyMCOs webinar for advocates is online. The webinar covered – Questions included — If your group would like a presentation on noHuskyMCOs, email andrews@cthealthpolicy.org.
Read MoreAnalysis: Why most other states use Medicaid MCOs and why CT doesn’t
A question has been posed to opponents of MCOs in Connecticut’s Medicaid program. Under the Rowland administration, Connecticut started using Medicaid MCOs, but we removed them in 2012 because they weren’t performing. Advocates are strongly opposed to using MCOs in HUSKY. But if they’re so terrible, why do 40 other states use MCOs to run…
Read MoreCT Mirror Viewpoint: Husky MCOs would harm access to mental health care
A new CT Mirror Viewpoint from a HUSKY mental health provider describes why the Governor’s idea to bring managed care back would drive more providers from the program. Demand for mental health care has never been higher and is a serious concern for HUSKY. Donna Nicolino is a trauma specialist participating in both Connecticut’s non-MCO…
Read MoreBook Club: Risky Business—Why Insurance Markets Fail And What to Do About It
I thought I knew a lot about how insurance markets work (and don’t), but I learned more than I expected from Risky Business—Why Insurance Markets Fail And What to Do About It by Liran Einav, Amy Finkelstein, and Ray Fishman. Adverse selection (commonly called cherry picking) is a double-edged problem. I knew about insurers’ schemes…
Read MoreStudy finds CT private healthcare payment rates more than double Medicare’s, close to US average
A new study by RAND analyzing provider payments rates for commercial plans finds Connecticut’s 2022 rates averaged two and half times (258%) what Medicare would’ve paid for the same services at the same hospital (Relative Price). There was little variation by overall type of services. However, individual Connecticut hospitals varied considerably in Relative Price. There…
Read MoreCTNJ: Top Lawmakers Respond To Idea Of Managed Care For Medicaid Patients
Top state lawmakers from both parties say they’re anxious to learn more about the drawbacks and benefits of the state reverting back to a managed care system for Medicaid recipients that advocates fear will reduce access to quality healthcare. Read more
Read MoreAnalysis: The Governor Could Be Making a Big Mistake
When I first heard the rumor from various sources that Gov. Ned Lamont was exploring returning control of the HUSKY insurance program to a managed care company, I didn’t take it seriously and neither did they. But apparently it’s true. Read more
Read MoreCTNJ: Key Lawmaker Pledges To Fight Potential Lamont Plan On Managed Care For Medicaid Patients
CT News Junkie reports: Key state lawmaker said Thursday she opposes the idea of reverting back to a controversial managed care plan for nearly one million Medicaid recipients, setting up a potential showdown between Gov. Ned Lamont and a legislature controlled by his party. Read more
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