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.
1332 State Innovation Waivers: What’s Next for States
Waivers available under Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act offer potentially great flexibility to states in achieving the goals of the ACA through very different means than originally envisioned. They take effect as early as January 1, 2017, and require legislative authorization, substantial public engagement, and negotiation with the federal government. Moreover, without grant dollars to fund the development process, unlike for the establishment of state-based exchanges, 1332 waiver proposals will present additional time and resource challenges for states.
Innovation Waivers: An Opportunity for States to Pursue Their Own Brand of Health Reform
States have long been the testing ground for new models of health care and coverage. Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act, which takes effect in less than two years, throws open the door to innovation by authorizing states to rethink the law’s coverage designs. Under State Innovation Waivers, states can modify the rules regarding covered benefits, subsidies, insurance marketplaces, and individual and employer mandates.
Understanding the Potential Role Web Brokers Can Play in State-Based Marketplaces
he Affordable Care Act (ACA) is already greatly expanding individual health insurance coverage, particularly among lower-income uninsured individuals. However, this is neither easy nor inexpensive to sustain, and it will require ongoing, effective public-private partnerships on multiple levels. One potential partnership opportunity is with “web brokers” who sell individual health insurance online, functioning as private distribution channels in a fashion similar to the new Marketplaces and offering a choice of health plans from multiple insurers, while relying primarily on websites and call centers for customer service.
Report from the States: Early Observations about Five State Marketplaces
Implementation of the health insurance marketplaces has been an ongoing challenge across the country in the initial months of open enrollment. While state marketplaces are still evolving, and some are experiencing their own implementation challenges, they are largely working. This brief, prepared by the team at Manatt Health Solutions, looks at five state marketplaces to assess early lessons that might help to explain early enrollment trends.
How State-based Marketplaces Can Better Meet the Needs of the Unbanked and Underbanked
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) will make health insurance more accessible to millions of Americans. To effectuate coverage, flexible payment methods will help ensure insurance accessibility is not hampered by the absence of a traditional bank account, an all too common scenario for many uninsured households.