ConnectiCare Benefits Inc. was the most popular carrier among plans sold on the state’s health insurance exchange this year, capturing 42.3 percent of the 110,095 people who signed up for insurance through Access Health CT. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the state’s largest insurer and last year’s exchange leader, received 39.8 percent of signups.
Affordable Care Act
Posted inHealth, Money
Medicaid rules prompt a $45 million state-federal disagreement
A $45 million hole in this year’s budget is the result of a disagreement between state and federal officials over how much the federal government should reimburse Connecticut for Medicaid spending for clients who became eligible under Obamacare.
Posted inHealth
Enrollment rose, but age distribution stayed the same in CT exchange
Although enrollment in private health plans sold through Connecticut’s health insurance exchange rose by 37 percent this year, the age distribution of customers was virtually unchanged, according to data released by the federal government Tuesday.
Posted inHealth
Obamacare once again comes before the U.S. Supreme Court
On March 4, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in King v. Burwell, a case challenging the validity of tax subsidies helping millions of Americans buy health insurance. If the court rules against the Obama administration, those subsidies could be cut off for everyone in the three dozen states using healthcare.gov, the federal exchange website.
Posted inHealth
Legislators grappling with fast-changing health care landscape
The health care landscape is changing, and legislators are trying to figure out how to respond to an industry that is at once a top employer in many communities and a big driver of health care costs that are straining state, local and business budgets. Hospital officials say some of the proposals so far would take the state backwards.
Posted inHealth
Access Health CT: 110,095 picked Obamacare insurance plans
The 110,095 private insurance customers includes 68,231 people who also had coverage through Access Health in 2014 and 41,864 new customers. Seventy-seven percent qualify for federal tax credits to discount their insurance premiums, while the rest must pay the full price for their coverage.
Posted inHealth
Wadleigh named CEO of Access Health CT
Jim Wadleigh, who joined the state’s health insurance exchange as chief information officer in 2012, has been leading quasi-public agency on an interim basis since September.
Posted inHealth
Special CT Obamacare enrollment period? Stay tuned
People who didn’t have insurance last year – and didn’t have a valid excuse – will have to pay a fee when they file their taxes. That might prompt them to want to get coverage this year. Because the sign-up period ended Sunday, some are urging health insurance exchanges to hold special enrollment periods.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Preserve Connecticut’s Medicaid funding
As the countdown begins to the Feb. 18 release of the state budget by Gov. Dannel Malloy, the health and well-being of our Medicaid patients and the future sustainability of the Medicaid program lie in the balance.
Posted inHealth
5 things to know about Medicaid spending in CT
There are many reasons why everyone in Connecticut should care about Medicaid, the health care program that covers one in five state residents and represents one of the largest chunks of state spending. Here are five things to know.
Posted inHealth
As Obamacare sign-up period winds down, a final push for the uninsured
Sunday is the last day to buy private health insurance this year, and those trying to reach the uninsured are making calls, sending mail and visiting libraries, grocery stores, tax clinics, churches, big-box stores and bus stops in a final enrollment push.
Posted inHealth, Money, Politics
Insurers’ financial health improves post-Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON — As House Republicans once again voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act this week, there was further evidence the controversial bill is contributing to the good health of some of the nation’s major health insurers.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Murphy blasts GOP alternative to Affordable Care Act
Washington – As the Senate’s chief defender of the Affordable Care Act, Sen. Chris Murphy took a sledgehammer to a GOP alternative Thursday. “It would mean the retraction of health care for millions of Americans, “ he said.
Posted inHealth
Six things to know about Obamacare and taxes
The federal health law created some significant changes for tax filers, particularly those who didn’t have health insurance or who bought health plans through public health insurance exchanges like Connecticut’s Access Health CT. Here are a few things to know.
Posted inHealth, Money, Politics
CT officials, executives on fact-finding trip to D.C.
WASHINGTON – Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy invited dozens of Connecticut local officials, business executives and heads of non-profit agencies to the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday for a day of accessing the sometimes puzzling ways of Washington.