Revenue Cycle and Payer News 10-18-2017

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Posted By: Annmarie Budniak October 18, 2017

In the News…

Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Massachusetts Releases Statement On Trump Administration’s Recent Actions Related To Health Care
In response to recent health care actions announced by the Trump administration, Andrew Dreyfus, President & CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, released the following statement:

“We are deeply concerned that the Administration’s recent actions will create further instability in the insurance market and threaten our shared goal of providing affordable and quality coverage and care to everyone, regardless of economic status, age, or condition.”

Be sure to read the rest of Mr. Dreyfus’ statement.

New Letter: Urging Action to Fund CSR Benefits
America’s Health Insurance Plans (@ahipcoverage), the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Benefits Council, the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, the Federation of American Hospitals, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce together sent a letter to the U.S. Senate and House leadership to urge funding of cost-sharing reduction benefits for nearly 6 million low- and modest-income Americans.

Statement from Bernard J. Tyson, Chairman and CEO, on October 12, 2017 Executive Order
Kaiser Permanente believes that changes to our nation’s health care laws and regulations should increase access to high-quality, affordable care and coverage for as many people as possible. Unfortunately, today’s executive order on health care puts in motion several steps that may be counterproductive to that goal.

Halt In Subsidies For Health Insurers Expected To Drive Up Costs For Middle Class
According to NPR, President Trump’s decision Thursday to end subsidy payments to health insurance companies is expected to raise premiums for middle-class families and cost the federal government hundreds of billions of dollars. The decision will most directly affect middle-class families who buy their own insurance without financial help from the government.

Trump’s decision to end Obamacare subsides will most affect states he won
The Chicago Tribune reports that President Donald Trump’s decision to end a provision of the Affordable Care Act that was benefiting roughly 6 million Americans helps fulfill a campaign promise, but it also risks harming some of the very people who helped him win the presidency. Nearly 70 percent of those benefiting from the so-called cost-sharing subsidies live in states Trump won last November, according to an analysis by The Associated Press. The number underscores the political risk for Trump and his party, which could end up owning the blame for increased costs and chaos in the insurance marketplace.

InnovaCare Health Adds Chief Innovation Officer to Growing Leadership Team
Officials with InnovaCare, Inc., a provider of Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans and related services, are pleased to announce Mony Weschler will join the organization’s growing leadership team in a new role as Chief Innovation Officer. Weschler brings a 25-year career of IT strategy to InnovaCare, with more than two decades in the healthcare industry.

Kaiser Permanente Medicare Health Plans Rated Among Nation’s Best for Quality, Service
For the eighth consecutive year, Kaiser Permanente (@KPSCALnews) receives high scores from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in its Medicare star quality ratings. In CMS’ Oct. 11 announcement of the 2018 Medicare star quality ratings, Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare health plans in Northern and Southern California, Colorado, Hawaii, Northwest and Mid-Atlantic States received 5 out of 5 stars each. Kaiser Permanente in Georgia and Washington earned 4.5 out of 5 stars. According to CMS, Kaiser Permanente represents five of 15 Medicare health plans (with Parts C and D) that earned 5 out of 5 stars, the highest overall rating.

CNA Releases New White Paper on Electronic Medical Records
Findings released in a white paper produced by CNA (@cna_insurance), a provider of insurance solutions and risk management services for healthcare organizations and professionals, concludes that an “optimized” electronic medical record may reduce diagnosis-related professional liability claims in the emergency department.

In state news:

Wisconsin Insurers Brace For Uncertain Enrollment Period
The health insurance industry thrives on predictability. But circumstances at the national and state level have made for a lot of uncertainty. According to Wisconsin Public Radio, the state of Wisconsin considered, and rejected, self insuring state and local government workers, at least for now. As it stands, the State Group Health Insurance market will continue as a fully insured model, but with six fewer companies selling coverage.

Maryland health exchange opens website for browsing plans
The Baltimore Sun reports that with consumers facing a shorter period to enroll in health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, Maryland health exchange officials have opened their online marketplace so residents can get an early look at the costs of plans, which are expected to be higher this year. Open enrollment starts Nov. 1 and lasts until Dec. 15 — 45 days down from three months last year.

Enroll Yourself in Some of the Top Rated Health Insurance Plans in NYC
New York is a developed state and it has brought health care reforms earlier than the rest of the country. According to the New York state’s latest enrollment report, more than 2.8 million people now receive health insurance through the New York State of Health, and the uninsured rate has been cut in half in three years. In order to find best health care plans for you and your family you first need to check for all the available insurance programs in your region. A lot of information is available for you openly to go through even before enrollment. Consult your doctor and about the major programs they accept patients from.

California Feels Protected After Trump Pulls Health Care Subsidies
Experts believe California’s healthcare marketplace is mostly insulated from President Donald Trump’s decision to end subsidies that cover out-of-pocket medical costs for lower-income people. The so-called cost-sharing subsidies cover 670,000 lower-income Californians, but the 11 insurance companies doing business on Covered California are still legally obligated to provide the discounts, reports NBC4 media partner KPCC.

Some in WV to pay higher health insurance premiums
West Virginians whose incomes are four-times the federal poverty level and who aren’t covered by an employer’s health insurance plan will pay significantly higher insurance premiums next year. West Virginia Insurance Commissioner Allan McVey said last week that he approved rate increases, to begin in January, for the two insurance companies in the state that sell plans through the health insurance marketplace. He approved the increases, in part, because he expected the Trump administration to halt payments for a controversial cost-sharing reduction program.