Issuers Hold Steady in State-based Exchange States
On Monday, July 10th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a tally of issuer submissions to offer individual market coverage through the Federally-facilitated Exchange. The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) conducted an analysis of preliminary rate filings for states that have opted to run a State-based Exchange (SBE), finding that issuer participation is anticipated to remain steady in the SBE states. NASHP will track and updates submission as they become finalized early in the fall.
“SBE officials remain hard at work in partnership with their state insurance departments and issuers to maintain consumer choice for exchange enrollees, said NASHP Executive Director, Trish Riley. “These states are working to preserve affordable options amid uncertainty over national policies of consequence to insurance markets including funding for cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments and further regulatory and legislative reforms made to the Affordable Care Act.”
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
