Exchange
Monday, June 17th, 2013 by Erin Thurston
If you’re like us, you may have noticed some similarities in the names of the state health benefit exchanges. We’ve previously noted our fondness for the name Cover Oregon, and it looks like we weren’t alone. While there are many variations and creative branding, Massachusetts and Oregon appear to be the clear trend senders for naming their health benefit exchanges.
After contemplating several edgier names like Avocado or Healthifornia, the sunshine state settled on Covered California. Washington Healthplanfinder will roll out its marketing theme Get Covered Washington this summer. The national outreach campaign Get Covered America launches on June 22. And DC Health Link boasts the tag line: Get the facts. Get covered. (more…)
Tags: Connect for Health Colorado, Cover Oregon, Covered California, Hawaii Health Connector, Health Benefit Exchange, Healthplanfinder, Kynect, Maryland Health Connection, Massachusetts Health Connector, Vermont Health Connect
Posted in Exchange, Latest, Oregon |
Friday, June 14th, 2013 Press Release
Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule outlining program integrity guidelines for the Health Insurance Marketplace (Marketplace) and premium stabilization programs.
Through the Affordable Care Act, consumers and small businesses will have access to new Marketplaces where they can access quality, affordable private health insurance. Consumers in every state will be able to buy insurance from qualified health plans directly through these Marketplaces and may be eligible for tax credits to lower the cost of their health insurance. (more…)
Tags: ACA, CMS, Health Insurance Exchange, Health Insurance Marketplace
Posted in Exchange, News Releases |
Tuesday, June 11th, 2013 by Erin Thurston
As we shared earlier, HB 1947 was voted out of the Senate Ways & Means committee earlier today. The bill was substituted with a striker amendment which in effect removes all references to the premium tax revenue and the corresponding allocation to the health benefit exchange. Instead, funding is based entirely on assessments made on the plans on a per member per month basis. It directs the Exchange Board to establish a process to calculate the assessment amount and to collaborate with the insurance carriers, the Health Care Authority and the Office of Insurance Commissioner in setting the assessment and the assessment calculation and payment schedule. Sen. Keiser pressed staff as to how funding would allocated. (more…)
Tags: ACA, Get Covered Washington, Health Care Authority, Health Care Reform, Healthplanfinder, Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Washington Health Benefit Exchange, Washington State Legislature
Posted in Exchange, Latest, Washington |
Tuesday, June 11th, 2013 by Erin Thurston
Today marks the last day of special session in Olympia. State legislators have until midnight to come to agreement and pass the budget. Will that happen? All signs point to no. That means tomorrow will be the first day of the second special session. With the end of the fiscal year just 19 days away, the potential of a “government shutdown” is being discussed by some legislators.
Yesterday the House passed a stop-gap capital budget yesterday with bipartisan agreement, 83-10. This would make it possible for existing projects to continue to be funded past the end of the fiscal year, June 30 (assuming the Senate also passes the bill and Governor signs it). (more…)
Tags: Governor Jay Inslee, Sen. Andy Hill, Sen. Randi Becker, Special Session, Washington State Legislature
Posted in Exchange, Latest, Medicare, Washington |
Monday, June 10th, 2013 by Erin Thurston
Chris Blanton has left Cigna Pacific Northwest to serve as president of BridgeSpan, Cambia’s exchange affiliate. BridgeSpan will offer products on the exchanges in Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Blanton was president and general manager of Cigna Pacific Northwest.
More from the press release: (more…)
Tags: Bridgespan, Cambia Health Solutions, Chris Blanton, Cigna
Posted in Exchange, Idaho, News Releases, Oregon, Washington |
Wednesday, June 5th, 2013 Press Release
$6 Million in Grant Funds Awarded to Help Consumers Enroll in a Health Plan that Fits Their Needs and Budget
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington Health Benefit Exchange today announced the selection of lead organizations to provide in-person assistance as part of the Washington Healthplanfinder Customer Support Program. Washington Healthplanfinder is a new way for people to find, compare and enroll in health insurance in Washington starting Oct., 1, 2013.
Ten organizations, including public health agencies, coalitions, regional health networks, and other community organizations, were chosen statewide to help residents enroll in a qualified health plan starting Oct. 1, 2013 for coverage that takes effect on Jan. 1, 2014. Lead organizations will share in the close to $6 million in grants funds being provided by the Exchange. These organizations and their service areas include: (more…)
Posted in Exchange, News Releases, Washington |
Tuesday, June 4th, 2013 by Erin Thurston
Politico Pulse reported this morning that Moda Health and Premera Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alaska were the only insurers to file for Alaska’s Exchange. I spoke with Bret Kolb, Director of the Alaska Division of Insurance, to find out a little more detail. However, Kolb told me this is still very much a waiting game. Whether they will apply for the individual and/or SHOP markets is still unknown. (more…)
Tags: Alaska, Alaska exchange marketplace, Bret Kolb, CCIIO, rate filings
Posted in Alaska, Exchange, Latest |
Friday, May 24th, 2013 By Governor C.L. Otter and Idaho Exchange Board Chairman Stephen Weeg
The earnest debate that characterized the Idaho Legislature’s March approval of legislation creating the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange has shifted to intense preparation for meeting a critical deadline in early October.
Since being appointed April 10 to shepherd the process according to the new state law, the Exchange Board’s fast-track mission has been to create an online health insurance marketplace designed, driven and controlled by Idahoans to help our fellow citizens research and obtain affordable coverage that’s right for them. The ambitious goal is to have the Internet marketplace ready by October for Idaho residents to begin enrolling to determine their eligibility for Medicaid or subsidies on insurance policies they can begin purchasing through the Exchange in January 2014. (more…)
Tags: Butch Otter, Idaho, Idaho Health Insurance Exchange, Stephen Weeg
Posted in Commentary, Exchange, Idaho |
Thursday, May 23rd, 2013 by Erin Thurston
Idaho, New Mexico get federal help with exchange technology
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that despite the new exchange board’s best efforts, Idaho will need to enlist federal help for making its exchange fully functional by Oct. 1.
The board’s chairman, Stephen Weeg, said the federal government will run the enrollment and eligibility portions of the state’s exchange because a computer contractor hasn’t been selected. Idaho consumers could still log on to the exchange’s website Oct. 1 to sign up for health insurance, he said. But behind the scenes, federal computers would determine who is eligible for subsidies on insurance.
(more…)
Posted in Exchange, Idaho, Latest |
Opinion: Implementing State Insurance Exchange Requires Moving Quickly, Creatively
Friday, May 24th, 2013 By Governor C.L. Otter and Idaho Exchange Board Chairman Stephen WeegThe earnest debate that characterized the Idaho Legislature’s March approval of legislation creating the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange has shifted to intense preparation for meeting a critical deadline in early October.
Since being appointed April 10 to shepherd the process according to the new state law, the Exchange Board’s fast-track mission has been to create an online health insurance marketplace designed, driven and controlled by Idahoans to help our fellow citizens research and obtain affordable coverage that’s right for them. The ambitious goal is to have the Internet marketplace ready by October for Idaho residents to begin enrolling to determine their eligibility for Medicaid or subsidies on insurance policies they can begin purchasing through the Exchange in January 2014. (more…)
Tags: Butch Otter, Idaho, Idaho Health Insurance Exchange, Stephen Weeg
Posted in Commentary, Exchange, Idaho |