CT managed care report card out and medical loss ratios

The CT Insurance Dept. has published this year’s comparison of health insurers with interesting comparisons across managed care plans. (Study up for next month’s webquiz). Near the end, on p. 48, medical loss ratios are reported across insurers. It is important to note that the MLR definition used for the report is stricter than the…

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Health information privacy complaint filed against Hartford Hospital

State employee unions have filed a complaint with HHS’ Office of Civil Rights about Hartford Hospital sending letters to union members and patients about tense rate negotiations with Anthem. The union contends that the hospital is trying to scare patients to create leverage in their negotiations with CT’s largest insurer. The state uses Anthem’s network…

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CT Health Foundation seeks a communications Officer

The CT Health Foundation is hiring a Communications Officer to manage their Web, social media and e-mail efforts and contribute to overall Web vision and strategy. The Foundation is looking for at least five years experience in journalism or communications, strong writing and editing skills, extensive experience with Web sites and hands-on knowledge of social…

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CID will hold rare public hearing on Anthem’s 2011 increase request

The CT Insurance Dept. has decided to hold a public hearing on Anthem’s requests for 2011 premium increases. The Commissioner was strongly criticized for approving Anthem increases of 47% for the end of this year with little review and no modification. Anthem has not yet submitted their proposal for 2011 rate increases, and the hearing…

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Countering campaign spin and negative ads

Yesterday’s NY Times top editorial is a list of fact checks on campaign distortions about national health reform, the Accountable Care Act. For the record, the law does not require patients to go through a bureaucrat to reach a doctor, reform is not a “government takeover” of health care – the law relies heavily on…

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New campaign describes benefits of Connecticut reforms

The Universal Health Care Foundation of CT has launched a new public education campaign about the benefits of SustiNet and national health reform to our state. A new brochure describes SustiNet, outlines the savings it will bring to businesses and individuals, and why we need Connecticut needs health reform now.Ellen Andrews

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CT teen pregnancy rates down

The rate of pregnancies among CT teens dropped to 22.9 per 1,000 girls in 2008, down from 23.1 the year before and 35.8 ten years before. CT’s rate has consistently been below the national average; our 2008 rate was the fourth lowest in the nation behind only MA, NH, and VT. The bad news is…

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Large employers urge Hartford Hospital to be reasonable in Anthem negotiations

Rate negotiations between Anthem and Hartford Hospital have become tense as the October 31st contract end date nears, according to a CT Mirror article. On Monday a coalition of self-funded health plans, including the Office of State Comptroller on behalf of CT’s state employees, sent a strongly-worded joint letter to Hartford Hospital questioning the hospital’s…

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Feds urge CT Insurance Dept. to reverse Anthem 47% rate hike approval

HHS has sent a letter to CT Insurance Department (CID) Commissioner Sullivan asking him to reconsider the department’s approval of Anthem 47% health insurance rate hikes for next year. “The consumers of Connecticut expect and deserve transparency and a fact-based rationale as to why their rates are increasing,” according to the letter. The insurance department…

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Celebrate 30 years with the Hispanic Health Council

Join the Hispanic Health Council in celebrating their 30th anniversary. The party is next Thursday, October 21st from 5 to 8pm at the HHC offices, 175 Main Street in Hartford. For over three decades, HHC has been a pillar of Hartford’s large Latino community — working to improve health, fighting for social justice, and building…

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