Less Advertising, Outreach As Covered California Eyes Self-Sufficiency
The state exchange, run with federal dollars for now, released its 2015-2016 budget proposal. Elsewhere, in Hawaii, officials plan to use federal technology to run the insurance exchange there. And Iowa and Colorado exchanges are also in the news.
California Healthline:
Covered California Takes Conservative Fiscal Move Toward Self-Sufficiency
Covered California officials yesterday released a budget proposal for the 2015-16 fiscal year. As expected, the agency has scaled down its advertising and outreach budget, and cut back the large initial outlay for information technology services. (Gorn, 5/14)
The Associated Press:
Ige Administration Plans Changes For Health Exchange
Gov. David Ige's administration says Hawaii's health insurance exchange will have to make changes to comply with federal Affordable Care Act. Deputy Chief of Staff Laurel Johnston said Wednesday the administration's plan calls for using the federal government's information technology to run the Hawaii Health Connector's troubled insurance exchange. (McAvoy, 5/14)
Des Moines Register:
Minnesota Insurer To Join Iowa Obamacare Exchange
A Minnesota-based health-insurer plans to join two other carriers on Iowa's version of the Affordable Care Act insurance marketplace. Thursday morning's announcement from Medica means that moderate-income Iowans who qualify for federal subsidies under Obamacare will have at least three carriers to choose from for 2016. Such subsidies are only available to help pay premiums for policies purchased on the Affordable Care Act marketplace, known as healthcare.gov. (Leys, 5/14)
The Denver Post:
Colorado Health Insurance Exchange Seeks Reimbursement From Medicaid
The state health insurance exchange's financial viability hinges on recovering millions of dollars in costs inflicted by Medicaid expansion, officials say, but Connect for Health Colorado wasn't set up to either count or collect reimbursement. "We right now have zero in terms of our Medicaid reimbursement," said Kevin Patterson, the exchange's new interim CEO. "Zero is not the right number." (Draper, 5/14)
The Denver Post:
Colorado Health Insurance Exchange Board Raises Fees On Health Plans
The Connect for Health Colorado board of directors voted unanimously Thursday to raise the fees it charges on health insurance policies to bolster its finances as federal grants run out later this year. The state health insurance exchange raised the fee on 2016 plans purchased through its marketplace from the current 1.4 percent of premiums to 3.5 percent, the same rate charged on the federal exchange. (Draper, 5/14)
The Associated Press:
Colorado Health Exchange May Increase Fees
The board of directors of Colorado's health insurance exchange is meeting Thursday to consider proposals that are likely to increase the cost to consumers. Connect for Health Colorado staff have proposed raising administrative fees it charges to cover the costs of the technological and other infrastructure needed to allow consumers to comparison shop for insurance and get advice and access to financial aid. Fees are now 1.4 percent of premiums and typically passed on by insurance companies to consumers. Staff said in a presentation to the board ahead of Thursday's meeting that the exchange also was seeking federal Medicaid reimbursements. (5/14)