government

Half of states get insurance exchange green light

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 25, 2013

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

The Dept. of Health and Human Services at this article’s deadline had given 24 states and the District of Columbia conditional approval either to fully or partially run health insurance exchanges starting in 2014. Authorized by the health system reform law, the new marketplaces will enable consumers to shop for a variety of private health plan options.

Most recently, HHS conditionally approved Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, and West Virginia to operate partnership exchanges, a model in which states retain traditional insurance duties while receiving financial and structural support from the federal government. The marketplaces in these states will be ready for open enrollment in October, according to HHS.

At this article’s deadline, seven states in total had chosen the partnership exchange option, and 17 states and the District of Columbia were pursuing state-run exchanges. Twenty-six states will default to the federal government to run their exchanges if no further approvals are forthcoming.

“HHS will continue to work collaboratively with all states to build the marketplace,” HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement. “Working together, we will be ready in seven months when consumers will be able to use the new marketplace to easily purchase quality, affordable health insurance plans.”

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn