Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Md. Officials Cross Fingers That New Website Is Ready For Enrollment Challenge
The Baltimore Sun: Md. Exchange Attempts 'Do-Over' With New Website
Lost applications, frozen computer screens and hours spent waiting on hold for help — those consumer problems made up last year's narrative about Maryland's health insurance exchange, the online marketplace launched under the federal Affordable Care Act. Now, as state officials prepare to unveil a revamped exchange Sunday, they face a new set of challenges: They must eliminate technological problems that led the website to crash on its launch last year, restore consumer confidence in the system and — with Republicans poised to control Congress and the Maryland governor's seat — confront more questions about the future of Obamacare. (Cohn, 11/8)
The Baltimore Sun: Maryland Health Exchange Final Tab Still Unclear
The Maryland health exchange debuts its new online marketplace this weekend, and officials say they expect it to run more smoothly this time. The revamped website comes at a cost, but tabulating the price tag to build and run both the old and new website isn't so easy. (Cohn, 11/8)
The Seattle Times: Healthplanfinder Q&A: How To Find Help With 2015 Health Plans
Q:What is happening this week with the Affordable Care Act? A: The online insurance exchanges created by the ACA are opening up Saturday for consumers seeking individual insurance plans for 2015. The open-enrollment runs through Feb. 15. (Stiffler and Marshall, 11/8)
Connecticut Mirror: Obamacare: Who’s Still Uninsured In CT, And Why?
Connecticut had one of the lowest uninsured rates in the country before Obamacare, and has been heralded as one of the most successful states in rolling out the health law. But even here, on the eve of the second sign-up period for private insurance under the health law, it’s not hard to find people without health insurance. (Levin Becker, 11/10)
The Detroit Free Press: More Plans, Insurers In Michigan
Open enrollment of federal health reform's centerpiece — health plans for the uninsured and the underinsured on state marketplaces — opens Saturday with more companies and more than twice as many plans in Michigan. In many cases, premium costs have fallen, on the Michigan Health Insurance Marketplace, or state exchange, driven down by a crowded marketplace, according to agents, consumer advocates and insurers. (Erb, 11/9)
The Detroit Free Press: Detroit Medical Center Beefs Up Efforts To Reach Uninsured
When it comes to health coverage, sometimes the message just can't be conveyed in radio spots or on billboards. Rather, it has to be from a trusted neighbor or loved one, said Conrad Mallett, chief administrative officer at Detroit Medical Center, which last year launched www.pathtohealth.com. Working with churches, shelters and community groups, DMC's Path to Health campaign was one of the largest efforts to help enroll metro Detroit's uninsured in health coverage. For thousands, that's Healthy Michigan, the state's new Medicaid plan made possible under federal health reform and opened April 1. (Erb, 11/9)
On the Medicaid expansion front -
Caspar Star-Tribune: Wyoming Health Advocates Optimistic Following Medicaid Announcement
Wyoming health advocates remain optimistic as they await the release of a new Medicaid expansion plan from the state Health Department. Gov. Matt Mead announced Thursday the imminent release of a report detailing the Wyoming Department of Health’s discussions with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services. Mead said federal health officials have eased their stance on elements of Wyoming’s plan, including cost-sharing and workplace training programs. (Graff, 11/8)
Meanwhile, here's the latest on SHOP exchanges -
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Multistate Small Businesses Face Challenge With New Insurance Marketplace
Businesses with employees in multiple states could face additional hurdles when looking to offer health insurance coverage through the online marketplace. The online access to the Small Business Health Options Program, or SHOP, is scheduled to go live Nov. 15. Firms with fewer than 50 full-time workers will then be able to sign up for SHOP plans through HealthCare.gov. But like the marketplace for individual customers, SHOP plans will be organized by state — posing an additional challenge to small employers with workers who live or work in different states. (Shapiro, 11/9)
