healthcare markets
CT 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
Read MoreCTNJ: Lamont Considering Return To Managed Care For Medicaid Despite Costly History
CT News Junkie reports: Ned Lamont is considering a plan to revert the state back to a managed care strategy that patient advocates say will leave the state’s most vulnerable residents with less access to quality healthcare. Read more
Read MoreCT middle of the pack for doctors
Connecticut ranks 29th in a new analysis on the Best and Worst States for Doctors by Wallet Hub. Physicians are seventeen of the twenty highest paid US workers. Connecticut tied for 45th worst for the highest malpractice award payouts. We rank 15th in our Medical Environment, which includes the quality and safety of hospital care,…
Read MoreAnalysis: What to do about private equity in healthcare?
The news is full of Prospect Medical Holdings, a private-equity fund, laying waste to three Connecticut hospitals. State policymakers are looking to create guardrails so that this doesn’t happen again. But we were warned two years ago and policymakers didn’t act. Read more
Read MoreBristol Health Cares explores advocacy in CT healthcare
A recent episode of Bristol Health Cares features a conversation with Kurt Barwis, President and CEO of Bristol Health and Ellen Andrews, of the CT Health Policy Project. Bristol Health Cares is a wide-ranging program with guests ranging from providers, community leaders, to innovators about navigating healthcare and answering questions. The conversation touched on the…
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