Commercial plans pay Connecticut hospitals 215% of Medicare prices, but that’s better than most states; No evidence of Medicaid or Medicare cost shifting

A new data set and report from RAND finds that Connecticut hospital prices paid by commercial plan were 215% of Medicare in 2018, varying from 144% for UConn Health to 282% for Stamford Health. If commercial plans had paid the same rates as Medicare that year, consumers would have saved $510 million. While high, Connecticut…

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CT ranks 5th among states in providing Long Term Services and Supports

Connecticut is improving Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) for older adults, people with physical disabilities, and their caregivers rising to fifth in performance among states, according to the latest State Scorecard. This is up from 10th, 12th, and 11th in previous reports from 2017, 2014, and 2011. Most states did not move much between report…

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Advocates urge Cost Cap delay for data, safety

A group of advocates sent Governor Lamont a letter about the Cost Cap project today raising new, heightened concerns since our May letter. This follows a similar letter sent last week from Connecticut’s three legal services organizations, which also included concerns about Medicaid’s PCMH Plus program. The Cost Cap is a controversial project of the…

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OHS committee considers how to sell the Cost Cap to stakeholders

Last week’s meeting of the Office of Healthcare Strategy’s Cost Cap committee, as they are wrapping up the project design, ended with discussion of how to ensure their project is successful in controlling healthcare costs. Despite developing the Cap during a pandemic, there has been considerable resistance and mistrust of the concept and the process.…

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COVID hit Medicaid hard

Medicaid members were about 33% more likely to be diagnosed with COVID than other Connecticut residents, according to CHNCT’s presentation Friday to the Medicaid oversight council. The average age of members with COVID was 52 years but ranged from newborn to 102 years old. Like the rest of the population, COVID hit Medicaid members with…

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Updated Advocacy Toolbox: How to make a difference, where to start, and how to get there

Healthcare policymaking in CT can be complex and frustrating. But you’re not alone and there is help. With generous support from the Connecticut Health Foundation, we’ve updated our Health Advocacy Toolbox. The comprehensive site covers legislative, administrative, and state budget advocacy, how to change public opinion, finding and working in coalitions, effective communications, and how…

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Book Club — The Catalyst: How to Change Anyone’s Mind

By Jonah Berger There are lots of books on persuasion. Most don’t add much to the last one. But The Catalyst is worth the time. Well-written — a high-value read. The author builds on newer science to break down how to change minds. Pushing and lecturing rarely work. First, figure out what people think now,…

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Half of Americans concerned about bankruptcy from a health event

A new Gallup poll from July finds that 50% of Americans were concerned that a health event in their household will result in bankruptcy. That is up from 45% last year. Concern is far higher among non-white than white adults (64% vs. 43%). One in seven American households (15%) has medical debt that they will…

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CT Mirror: The state should lower healthcare costs without risking our health

Opinion from Kathy Flaherty: As Executive Director of the CT Legal Rights Project, an advocate for people with disabilities, and someone who identifies as disabled, I take issue with “Flaws in CT’s healthcare system must be identified to be corrected” describing the Office of Health Strategy’s (OHS) plan to limit healthcare cost increases. . .…

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