1332 State Innovation Waivers: Lessons Learned from the Basic Health Program
The State Network 1332 Waivers Affinity Group webinar series continued with a new presentation from the team at Manatt Health Solutions. This webinar focused on funding issues, and dove into the mechanics of repurposing existing federal subsidies under a different coverage affordability model.
Building on Year One 1095-A Form Success: Marketplaces’ Recommendations for Future Tax Seasons
Tax year 2014 marked the first year during which all health insurance marketplaces were required to report information about Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTCs) to enrollees through Form 1095-A, which was developed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and used by enrollees to fill out new tax forms. In order to address potential concerns leading up to the execution of this process, the State Network convened a workgroup of states, led by Manatt Health Solutions, which enabled discussion of implementation challenges and solutions. Many of the expected challenges associated with this process were addressed in advance, allowing the marketplaces to provide most forms in a timely fashion and develop solutions to challenges as they arose.
Social Media Insights, Best Practices, and Tips for OEP3 and Beyond
As health insurance exchanges approach the third open enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), social media platforms continue to represent vital channels through which exchanges can reach consumers. Using social media to inform and educate consumers about the availability of affordable coverage options through the marketplace can be a critical component of an exchange’s communications plan, but also requires an understanding of some of the most effective ways of using them. This slide deck, prepared by GMMB, provides an overview of several social media channels, as well as key insights and tips for making sure that exchanges are utilizing them as effectively as possible.
1332 State Innovation Waivers: Coordinating 1332 and 1115 Waivers, Part 2
The State Network 1332 Waivers Affinity Group continued in October with a new presentation from the team at Manatt Health Solutions. This ongoing series has included presentations providing an overview of the basics around these waivers, including statutory guardrails, discussions on what can and cannot be waived, and potential opportunities available to states through the waiver process, while this presentation focused more deeply on potential coordination between 1332 and 1115 waivers, including general guardrails and budget neutrality.
Health Insurance Literacy Memo and Resources
While millions of Americans have newly gained health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), there is evidence that coverage alone does not necessarily translate into access to health care. This memo, prepared by the State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC), provides background information on health insurance literacy, summarizes the research around current consumer knowledge, and offers recommendations for marketplaces on how to build on it. Additionally, the State Network has compiled a library of health insurance literacy materials developed by four marketplaces.
1332 State Innovation Waivers: Coordinating 1332 and 1115 Waivers, Part 1
The State Network 1332 Waivers Affinity Group continued with another presentation from the team at Manatt Health Solutions. Following prior presentations providing an overview of the basics around these waivers, including statutory guardrails, a discussion on what can and cannot be waived, and potential opportunities available to states through the waiver process, this presentation investigated more deeply the potential coordination between Section 1332 and Section 1115 waivers.
Assessing a New Option: The Feasibility of Contracting With a Single Firm to Build and Operate a State’s Marketplace
Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the design of state health insurance exchanges has evolved to include several distinct models. This evolution has led to the possibility that a state’s exchange development and operations could be delegated to a private vendor. States operating their own state-based marketplaces (SBMs) may begin to consider other options as they confront budget challenges and look to streamline operations.
1332 State Innovation Waivers: Getting off the Ground
The State Network 1332 Waivers Affinity Group, hosted by Manatt Health Solutions, continued with a presentation on the process of applying for a 1332 waiver, as well as a discussion on the potential and limitations of these waivers for states relying on the federal marketplace. Previous installments of this webinar series included presentations on the basics of the waiver process and information on statutory guardrails, as well as a deeper analysis of specific examples of what can be waived through this process.
1332 State Innovation Waivers: What Can Be Waived?
The State Network 1332 Waivers Affinity Group continued with a webinar presentation by the team at Manatt Health Solutions. The initial webinar for this affinity group focused on the basics of the waiver process, as well as information on statutory guardrails and what can and cannot be waived. This most recent webinar investigates waiver possibilities more deeply, with more information on specific examples of what can be waived through this process.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Plan Choice Challenge: Winning Tools and Considerations for States
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s “Plan Choice Challenge” was a recent competition facilitated by Health 2.0 to spur the development of innovative technology applications that better support consumers as they shop for and purchase health insurance. The State Network and the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) recently hosted a webinar featuring background on the challenge from Health 2.0, an overview of the winning apps, and insights on what states should consider as they explore plan selection tools.