Update on State Health Insurance Exchange Activity

Surprisingly Alabama is moving forward while my home state of PA sits on its hands:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/health-care/states-slow-to-adopt-health-care-transition/2011/06/03/AGbZbjJH_story.html

Agents Do Not Want Commissions to be part of MLR Calculations

So they want it to be part of admin expenses?

http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Columns/2011/May/052611Besesparis.aspx

Agents Still Not Liking MLR Requirements

From Capitol Hill testimony:

The cost and quality of healthcare will get worse because of healthcare reform rules that let the federal government review rates and set limits on how insurance companies spend their money, small businesses and insurance agents said Thursday.

Employers and agents are particularly concerned about rules that say insurers can only put 20 percent of their revenues toward profit and administrative expenses. Agents and brokers want their commissions to be carved out of the definition of administrative costs. Without that change, they fear insurers will squeeze broker commissions in order to free up money for other uses.

Agents and brokers are facing a “desperate economic situation” because of the requirements, said Janet Trautwein, chief executive of the National Association of Health Underwriters. She testified Thursday before the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee.

Witnesses said the restrictions on spending — known as the medical loss ratio — will ultimately raise costs and reduce options for consumers. The MLR represents a “significant move toward government micromanagement of health insurance,” University of Pennsylvania professor Scott Harrington said.

ACA's Impact in Oregon

This is a good summary of what two major players in OR's health care market see where things are going in the next few years:

http://www.thelundreport.org/resource/health_reform_should_drive_down_insurance_rate_increases

Commonwealth Fund Report on CA HI Exchange

This is a good review of what CA has been up to:

http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/Files/Publications/Issue%20Brief/2011/May/1507_Weinberg_california_hlt_benefit_exchange_ib.pdf

Wake Up Call to Hospitals: Medicaid No Long to Pay for Never Events

Given Medicaid's budget problems this new policy makes total sense:

http://www.shrm.org/hrdisciplines/benefits/Articles/Pages/WHCC2011.aspx

Employee Incentives Gaining Popularity

Employee incentives for healthier behaviors and high performing networks are becoming more popular:

http://www.shrm.org/hrdisciplines/benefits/Articles/Pages/WHCC2011.aspx