State Insurance Marketplaces
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#NASHPCONF20 Highlighted States’ Creativity in Addressing Equity, Bolstering Health Care, and Preserving Safety Nets during COVID-19
/in #NASHPCONF20 Blogs, Featured News Home Behavioral/Mental Health and SUD, Chronic and Complex Populations, Consumer Affordability, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, COVID-19, Health Coverage and Access, Health Equity, Health System Costs, Long-Term Care, Making the Case for Action, Population Health, Prescription Drug Pricing, Social Determinants of Health, State Insurance Marketplaces, State Rx Legislative Action, Value-Based Purchasing /by Trish RileyLast week, over 1,000 state health policy leaders and others from every state joined the National Academy for State Health Policy’s (NASHP) first-ever virtual state health policy conference to discuss a path forward during an unrelenting pandemic and profound budget challenges. As one state official noted, “This was a chance to lift my eyes from […]
States Confront Current and Future Insurance Coverage Challenges as Pandemic Persists
/in COVID-19 State Action Center, Policy Blogs, Featured News Home CHIP, COVID-19, Eligibility and Enrollment, Health Coverage and Access, Population Health, State Insurance Marketplaces /by Maureen Hensley-Quinn and Christina CousartState Medicaid, children’s health insurance programs (CHIP) and health insurance marketplaces strive to prepare for an expected increase in the demand for their services as they navigate a world roiled by COVID-19, an economic downturn and ensuing budget crises, and unpredictable federal relief efforts.
Thousands Flock to Health Insurance Marketplaces as Coverage Shifts due to COVID-19
/in COVID-19 State Action Center Blogs, Featured News Home CHIP, COVID-19, Eligibility and Enrollment, Health Coverage and Access, State Insurance Marketplaces /by Christina CousartCOVID-19 has affected nearly every aspect of American life, including access to health insurance coverage, which is critical during a pandemic. Job losses and reductions in hours have resulted in millions losing employer coverage or the income needed to pay premiums, forcing them to join the already sizeable ranks of the uninsured. State marketplaces have […]
State-Based Marketplace Leaders Ask for Federal Reinforcement of Insurance Markets during COVID-19
/in Policy Blogs, Featured News Home COVID-19, Eligibility and Enrollment, Health Coverage and Access, Population Health, State Insurance Marketplaces /by NASHP StaffOn June 5, 2020, executive directors from 14 state-based insurance marketplaces (SBM) sent a letter to Congressional leaders voicing support for federal efforts to reinforce insurance markets during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Early Evidence Suggests Increased Medicaid Enrollment Due to COVID-19
/in Policy Blogs, Featured News Home CHIP, COVID-19, Eligibility and Enrollment, Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, Medicaid Expansion, Population Health, State Insurance Marketplaces /by Gia GouldAs the COVID-19 public health emergency continues to destabilize the economy, more individuals are turning to their state Medicaid agencies for health coverage. To date, more than 40 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits in the past 10 weeks, and with job losses many individuals will inevitably lose employer-based health coverage. Current projections show […]
Delayed Rule Sets 2021 Playbook for Health Insurers and Insurance Marketplaces
/in Policy Blogs, Featured News Home Eligibility and Enrollment, Health Coverage and Access, State Insurance Marketplaces /by Christina CousartThe Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued the final Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) for 2021 — the annual rule governing health insurance plans and health insurance marketplaces. While the final rule contains several changes, it does not significantly alter automatic re-enrollment for individuals who purchase through the health insurance […]
State-Based Marketplaces Lead in Increasing Access to Coverage during COVID-19
/in COVID-19 State Action Center Blogs, Featured News Home Consumer Affordability, COVID-19, Eligibility and Enrollment, Health Coverage and Access, Health Equity, Health System Costs, Population Health, State Insurance Marketplaces /by Christina CousartCARES Act Funds Help Consumers, but Create Health Coverage Eligibility Challenges for States
/in COVID-19 State Action Center Blogs, Featured News Home CHIP, COVID-19, Eligibility and Enrollment, Health Coverage and Access, State Insurance Marketplaces /by Anita Cardwell and Christina CousartThe Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) includes a Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefit of $600 a week, which supplements traditional unemployment insurance (UI) benefits and provides an important source of additional financial support for individuals who qualify for these payments. However, as highlighted in NASHP’s April 6, 2020 blog, Federal Guidance Needed to […]
New State Insurance Requirements in Response to COVID-19
/in COVID-19 State Action Center Blogs, Charts, Featured News Home COVID-19, Eligibility and Enrollment, Health Coverage and Access, Health IT/Data, State Insurance Marketplaces /by Christina CousartCOVID-19 has upended health care systems and states are revising health insurance rules to make sure consumers can maintain their health insurance coverage and access needed health care services during the pandemic. The chart below details recent state actions that: Limit consumer out-of-pocket costs for testing, treatment and out-of-network care; Facilitate access to and delivery […]
States Protect Consumers’ Coverage and Improve COVID-19 Care Delivery through Insurance Reforms
/in COVID-19 State Action Center Blogs, Featured News Home Consumer Affordability, COVID-19, Eligibility and Enrollment, Health Coverage and Access, Health System Costs, State Insurance Marketplaces /by Christina CousartAs COVID-19 diagnoses grow, states are making rapid-fire adjustments so consumers can access the care they need. One key strategy has been promoting health insurance enrollment to protect consumers from potentially exorbitant medical bills. Recognizing more protection is needed, state insurance regulators are also making sure consumers maintain their coverage, find appropriate care, and are […]
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. 
Rhode Island Looks to Auto-Enrollment to Ease Transitions from Medicaid to Marketplace
/in Health Coverage and Access, Policy Rhode Island Blogs, Featured News Home State Insurance Marketplaces /by Gia Gould and Maureen Hensley-Quinn