/PRNewswire/ -- Significant barriers to patient care implemented by the health insurance industry are difficult to navigate, have a negative impact on patient care and drive up the administrative costs of healthcare, according to a statewide survey of Georgia physician assistants. The survey, which was released today by the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA), also indicated that most physician assistants (PAs) are proactively taking steps to help address the problems that plague the system, and feel there is a legislative role that can contribute to a solution.
According to the survey, a nearly universal 99 percent of PAs stated they have had to change the way they treat a patient as a result of restrictions imposed by an insurance company. An overwhelming majority, 94 percent, feels that health plans frequently or occasionally delay or deny diagnostic testing or prescription medications for their patients.
Not surprisingly, 93 percent of those surveyed stated they felt insurance requirements such as prior authorizations, pre-certifications, and step therapy protocols had some degree of a negative effect on their ability to treat patients.
"The lessons learned from this report are resounding, in that nearly all the physician assistants that responded to the survey cited major insurance hurdles they had to jump over before being able to provide the care they deemed appropriate for their patients," said Mary Vacala, ATC, PA-C, MSPAS, DFAAPA, and 2010-11 president of the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants. "Some cited several phone calls taking 45 minutes with an insurance company. Others noted that patients are forced to go without medication until the insurance company would approve the treatment already prescribed by the healthcare professional."
One-in-five respondents stated they or their staffs are required to interact with an insurance provider to obtain approval for a prescribed course of treatment or to determine the insurer criteria for prior authorization or step therapy protocols an alarming 150 times or more per month. Approximately one-in-five said the number was 61-100 and more than one-in-four stated the number of interactions as 21-60.
Understanding that each hour a provider spends on administrative tasks is an hour not spent evaluating patients, PAs are proactively taking steps such as utilizing newer technology to streamline the process. Currently, 64 percent of respondents have implemented Electronic Medical Records and 45 percent are using an e-prescription process on some level. At the same time, 90 percent of those surveyed agree that there should be enforceable legislation addressing restrictions that insurance companies place on health care providers.
"There are more than 2,000 physician assistants across the state of Georgia, and so many are using technology such as electronic medical records and e-prescribing, to promote better, more coordinated care," concluded Vacala. "As these technologies continue to be developed, the Georgia General Assembly should take steps requiring that patient formulary information be more transparent and that there be a uniform electronic process for obtaining medication approval. By taking simple steps, we will save significant time and resources while also having a healthier patient population in Georgia."
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Showing posts with label survey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label survey. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
With Federal Support, States Hold Steady in Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Policies for Low-Income Children and Families Despite Recession
/PRNewswire/ -- Despite tight budgets, nearly all states maintained or made targeted expansions or improvements in their Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) eligibility and enrollment rules in 2010, preserving the programs' ability to provide coverage to millions of low-income Americans who otherwise lack affordable options, according to a new survey released today by the Kaiser Family Foundation's Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured (KCMU).
The 10th annual KCMU 50-state survey of Medicaid and CHIP eligibility rules, enrollment and renewal procedures and cost sharing practices, this year conducted with the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, found that coverage policies held steady or in some cases expanded, particularly for low-income children. However, eligibility for their parents and other low-income adults continued to lag behind. The stability of such programs during a recession that has produced sharp increases in unemployment and declines in state tax revenues arises in large part from the temporary federal fiscal relief for Medicaid provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
That enhanced federal assistance, which will end in July, was tied to requirements for states to maintain Medicaid coverage policies. To help provide a base for the future Medicaid expansion, the health reform law also requires states to maintain public coverage for adults until broader health reform goes into effect in 2014 and until 2019 for children. However, in the coming year states continue to face significant budget pressures as demand for the programs remains high and state revenues continue to be depressed amidst the slow economic recovery.
"Millions of American families have turned to Medicaid and CHIP as incomes have declined after losing jobs and the health insurance that often goes with them," said Diane Rowland, Executive Vice President of the Foundation and Executive Director of the KCMU. "Keeping these programs stable and strong has helped protect children and avoid an even larger increase in the nation's 50 million uninsured, and will be key to ensuring the success of health reform implementation over the next few years."
Coverage Policies Held Steady or Expanded in 2010, Especially For Children
The survey found that 49 states, including D.C., held steady or made targeted improvements in their Medicaid and CHIP eligibility rules and enrollment procedures. A total of 13 states expanded eligibility, largely for children, and 14 states made improvements in enrollment and renewal procedures to reduce burdens on families and streamline administrative processes.
Without the enhanced federal funding and maintenance-of-effort requirements in the ARRA and health reform laws, it is likely that more states would have made cutbacks in coverage to cope with budget pressures. Two states -- Arizona and New Jersey -- did make reductions that were not subject to the requirements in the laws.
Coverage for Low-Income Adults Continues to Lag Behind
The survey finds that as of January 1, 2011, 25 states, including D.C., cover children in families with incomes at least up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level ($45,775 for a family of three in 2010), continuing a decade of progress in covering children. However, coverage for their parents lags behind. The median Medicaid eligibility threshold for parents nationally remains at 64 percent of the federal poverty level, and 16 states limit eligibility for parents to those in families that earn below 50 percent of the federal poverty level ($9,155 for a family of three in 2010).
Until health reform passed, states could not cover adults without dependent children in Medicaid programs without a waiver. The new law ends the historic exclusion of these adults through a Medicaid eligibility expansion to a national floor of 133 percent of the federal poverty level ($24,352 for a family of three and $14,404 for an individual in 2010). Although the law won't take full effect until 2014, last year Connecticut and D.C. took advantage of the new option to begin covering these adults by moving into Medicaid low-income adults whom they had previously covered only with state and local dollars. Also, California received approval for a waiver to continue and expand county initiatives that cover low-income adults. A few other states, including Minnesota, also have pending plans to take advantage of the new option to provide Medicaid coverage to adults. Even with these efforts, as of January 1, only seven states (Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, D.C., Hawaii, New York and Vermont) provided Medicaid or Medicaid-equivalent benefits to adults without dependent children.
In the absence of further expansions over the next couple of years, most uninsured, low-income adults will remain unable to qualify for Medicaid until health reform goes into effect in 2014.
States are Incorporating Technology into Their Programs, but Have More Work Ahead
The survey finds that states continue to adopt technology to modernize their programs. Many of these improvements have helped to reduce barriers to enrollment and renewal for families, while also streamlining administrative processes and achieving administrative efficiencies. For example, about half of the states (29) took advantage of a new option to rely on an electronic data match with the Social Security Administration to more efficiently and accurately verify citizenship status of applicants for Medicaid and CHIP. The survey also found states making progress in using electronic data matches to verify other aspects of eligibility.
Yet states still have a significant amount of work to do, the survey finds. The new health reform law calls upon states to implement an integrated, web-based, technology-driven enrollment process for Medicaid, CHIP, and coverage in the new health insurance Exchanges. While all states make their Medicaid application available online, only slightly more than half (29) allow for the application to be electronically submitted with an electronic signature and most of these still require families to submit paper documentation via mail or fax. In light of a rule proposed by the Administration at the end of 2010 to provide states with a 90% federal matching rate to prepare their Medicaid eligibility systems for health reform, new grant funding, and the likelihood of additional guidance and funding opportunities in the months ahead, more activity in this area is expected in the coming year.
Today's report, Holding Steady, Looking Ahead: Annual Findings of a 50-State Survey of Eligibility Rules, Enrollment and Renewal Procedures, and Cost-Sharing Practices in Medicaid and CHIP, 2010-2011, and related materials from today's public briefing on the survey findings, are available online at: http://www.kff.org/medicaid/Medicaid-CHIP-Coverage-Recession-Health-Reform.cfm. In addition, an archived webcast of a public briefing will be available on the website after 4 p.m. ET today.
The Kaiser Family Foundation is a non-profit private operating foundation, based in Menlo Park, California, dedicated to producing and communicating the best possible information and analysis on health issues.
The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured provides information and analysis on health care coverage and access for the low-income population, with a special focus on Medicaid's role and coverage of the uninsured. Begun in 1991 and based in the Kaiser Family Foundation's Washington, D.C. office, the Commission is the largest operating program of the Foundation. The Commission's work is conducted by Foundation staff under the guidance of a bipartisan group of national leaders and experts in health care and public policy.
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The 10th annual KCMU 50-state survey of Medicaid and CHIP eligibility rules, enrollment and renewal procedures and cost sharing practices, this year conducted with the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, found that coverage policies held steady or in some cases expanded, particularly for low-income children. However, eligibility for their parents and other low-income adults continued to lag behind. The stability of such programs during a recession that has produced sharp increases in unemployment and declines in state tax revenues arises in large part from the temporary federal fiscal relief for Medicaid provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
That enhanced federal assistance, which will end in July, was tied to requirements for states to maintain Medicaid coverage policies. To help provide a base for the future Medicaid expansion, the health reform law also requires states to maintain public coverage for adults until broader health reform goes into effect in 2014 and until 2019 for children. However, in the coming year states continue to face significant budget pressures as demand for the programs remains high and state revenues continue to be depressed amidst the slow economic recovery.
"Millions of American families have turned to Medicaid and CHIP as incomes have declined after losing jobs and the health insurance that often goes with them," said Diane Rowland, Executive Vice President of the Foundation and Executive Director of the KCMU. "Keeping these programs stable and strong has helped protect children and avoid an even larger increase in the nation's 50 million uninsured, and will be key to ensuring the success of health reform implementation over the next few years."
Coverage Policies Held Steady or Expanded in 2010, Especially For Children
The survey found that 49 states, including D.C., held steady or made targeted improvements in their Medicaid and CHIP eligibility rules and enrollment procedures. A total of 13 states expanded eligibility, largely for children, and 14 states made improvements in enrollment and renewal procedures to reduce burdens on families and streamline administrative processes.
Without the enhanced federal funding and maintenance-of-effort requirements in the ARRA and health reform laws, it is likely that more states would have made cutbacks in coverage to cope with budget pressures. Two states -- Arizona and New Jersey -- did make reductions that were not subject to the requirements in the laws.
Coverage for Low-Income Adults Continues to Lag Behind
The survey finds that as of January 1, 2011, 25 states, including D.C., cover children in families with incomes at least up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level ($45,775 for a family of three in 2010), continuing a decade of progress in covering children. However, coverage for their parents lags behind. The median Medicaid eligibility threshold for parents nationally remains at 64 percent of the federal poverty level, and 16 states limit eligibility for parents to those in families that earn below 50 percent of the federal poverty level ($9,155 for a family of three in 2010).
Until health reform passed, states could not cover adults without dependent children in Medicaid programs without a waiver. The new law ends the historic exclusion of these adults through a Medicaid eligibility expansion to a national floor of 133 percent of the federal poverty level ($24,352 for a family of three and $14,404 for an individual in 2010). Although the law won't take full effect until 2014, last year Connecticut and D.C. took advantage of the new option to begin covering these adults by moving into Medicaid low-income adults whom they had previously covered only with state and local dollars. Also, California received approval for a waiver to continue and expand county initiatives that cover low-income adults. A few other states, including Minnesota, also have pending plans to take advantage of the new option to provide Medicaid coverage to adults. Even with these efforts, as of January 1, only seven states (Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, D.C., Hawaii, New York and Vermont) provided Medicaid or Medicaid-equivalent benefits to adults without dependent children.
In the absence of further expansions over the next couple of years, most uninsured, low-income adults will remain unable to qualify for Medicaid until health reform goes into effect in 2014.
States are Incorporating Technology into Their Programs, but Have More Work Ahead
The survey finds that states continue to adopt technology to modernize their programs. Many of these improvements have helped to reduce barriers to enrollment and renewal for families, while also streamlining administrative processes and achieving administrative efficiencies. For example, about half of the states (29) took advantage of a new option to rely on an electronic data match with the Social Security Administration to more efficiently and accurately verify citizenship status of applicants for Medicaid and CHIP. The survey also found states making progress in using electronic data matches to verify other aspects of eligibility.
Yet states still have a significant amount of work to do, the survey finds. The new health reform law calls upon states to implement an integrated, web-based, technology-driven enrollment process for Medicaid, CHIP, and coverage in the new health insurance Exchanges. While all states make their Medicaid application available online, only slightly more than half (29) allow for the application to be electronically submitted with an electronic signature and most of these still require families to submit paper documentation via mail or fax. In light of a rule proposed by the Administration at the end of 2010 to provide states with a 90% federal matching rate to prepare their Medicaid eligibility systems for health reform, new grant funding, and the likelihood of additional guidance and funding opportunities in the months ahead, more activity in this area is expected in the coming year.
Today's report, Holding Steady, Looking Ahead: Annual Findings of a 50-State Survey of Eligibility Rules, Enrollment and Renewal Procedures, and Cost-Sharing Practices in Medicaid and CHIP, 2010-2011, and related materials from today's public briefing on the survey findings, are available online at: http://www.kff.org/medicaid/Medicaid-CHIP-Coverage-Recession-Health-Reform.cfm. In addition, an archived webcast of a public briefing will be available on the website after 4 p.m. ET today.
The Kaiser Family Foundation is a non-profit private operating foundation, based in Menlo Park, California, dedicated to producing and communicating the best possible information and analysis on health issues.
The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured provides information and analysis on health care coverage and access for the low-income population, with a special focus on Medicaid's role and coverage of the uninsured. Begun in 1991 and based in the Kaiser Family Foundation's Washington, D.C. office, the Commission is the largest operating program of the Foundation. The Commission's work is conducted by Foundation staff under the guidance of a bipartisan group of national leaders and experts in health care and public policy.
-----
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Monday, September 13, 2010
NAIC: Few Aware That Additional Health Care Reform Provisions Take Effect This Month
/PRNewswire/ -- Earlier this year, Congress passed sweeping reforms designed to revamp the health care system and increase access to care for many Americans. Yet, according to a new survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), many consumers are confused about the provisions and unsure of timing for actual implementation.
When asked to choose from four dates for which the first health care reform provisions officially take effect, only 14 percent correctly identified Sept. 23, 2010.
"Our survey findings are a clear indicator that most Americans are not aware of how soon some of the early health care changes may impact them," said NAIC President and West Virginia Insurance Commissioner Jane L. Cline. "It's essential for consumers to understand what to expect and when to consult their state insurance departments for more information."
When asked about specific reform provisions that take effect Sept. 23, most respondents correctly identified provisions concerning children. Specifically, 72 percent knew that children with pre-existing conditions may not be excluded from coverage and 70 percent understood that individuals up to age 26 may be covered under their parents' insurance.
However, half of the respondents were under the impression that employers with fewer than 50 employees will have to offer coverage to employees, and 47 percent incorrectly thought that all health insurance plans must cover approved preventive care and checkups without co-payment.
In reality, employers with fewer than 50 employees are not required by the new law to provide health insurance to staff, and all co-payments for preventive care and checkups are not eliminated. However, those qualifying for Medicare will receive new preventive care benefits that will include annual visits free of co-payments, but this is not mandated for all health insurance plans.
"The results show that while most consumers are well attuned to provisions specifically affecting their children's health care, they do not grasp the overall reform framework," said Cline. "It's promising to see this, but we feel it necessary for consumers to fully understand the changes and get informed about what to expect."
To keep up with the complex health reform process that includes multiple implementation phases in the coming years, the NAIC urges consumers to contact their state insurance department with questions. Go to http://map.naic.org/ to find your state contact information.
In addition, the NAIC website has a special section dedicated to health care reform questions and resources. Visit http://www.naic.org/index_health_reform_section.htm to learn more.
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When asked to choose from four dates for which the first health care reform provisions officially take effect, only 14 percent correctly identified Sept. 23, 2010.
"Our survey findings are a clear indicator that most Americans are not aware of how soon some of the early health care changes may impact them," said NAIC President and West Virginia Insurance Commissioner Jane L. Cline. "It's essential for consumers to understand what to expect and when to consult their state insurance departments for more information."
When asked about specific reform provisions that take effect Sept. 23, most respondents correctly identified provisions concerning children. Specifically, 72 percent knew that children with pre-existing conditions may not be excluded from coverage and 70 percent understood that individuals up to age 26 may be covered under their parents' insurance.
However, half of the respondents were under the impression that employers with fewer than 50 employees will have to offer coverage to employees, and 47 percent incorrectly thought that all health insurance plans must cover approved preventive care and checkups without co-payment.
In reality, employers with fewer than 50 employees are not required by the new law to provide health insurance to staff, and all co-payments for preventive care and checkups are not eliminated. However, those qualifying for Medicare will receive new preventive care benefits that will include annual visits free of co-payments, but this is not mandated for all health insurance plans.
"The results show that while most consumers are well attuned to provisions specifically affecting their children's health care, they do not grasp the overall reform framework," said Cline. "It's promising to see this, but we feel it necessary for consumers to fully understand the changes and get informed about what to expect."
To keep up with the complex health reform process that includes multiple implementation phases in the coming years, the NAIC urges consumers to contact their state insurance department with questions. Go to http://map.naic.org/ to find your state contact information.
In addition, the NAIC website has a special section dedicated to health care reform questions and resources. Visit http://www.naic.org/index_health_reform_section.htm to learn more.
-----
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Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Unemployed See COBRA Costs Increase in 2010, While Current Workers Brace for More Health Care Cost Shifting in 2011, Says Aon Consulting
/PRNewswire/ -- As the national unemployment rate continues to hover around 10 percent, health care costs for those jobless Americans have seen a year-over-year increase, according to Aon Consulting, the global benefits and human capital consulting business of Aon Corporation (NYSE:AON) .
Aon Consulting surveyed 1,079 employers nationwide in its 2010 Benefits Survey, and found an increase in monthly COBRA* contributions for terminated employees. Specifically, the average monthly cost for employee-only HMO coverage for a terminated worker is $429 this year, compared to $399 for the same coverage in 2009. For employee plus family, the former employee is paying $1,251 a month this year, compared to $1,171 per month last year. As for PPO coverage, the average monthly cost for employee only is $449 in 2010, compared to $439 in 2009, and for employee plus family, the cost tops out at a monthly average of $1,310 this year, versus $1,275 last year. (Click on the following link to see charts on a detailed year-over-year comparison: http://aon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1998)
"The increased frequency and duration of COBRA use is creating a significant strain on the program, leading to higher costs," said John Zern, executive vice president and Health & Benefits Practice director with Aon Consulting. "Those who are unemployed, and facing uncertainty about employment prospects and future COBRA availability, are utilizing the program more than we've traditionally seen to treat a variety of conditions prior to potentially losing coverage. This coupled with the high unemployment rate, is placing the COBRA program in a unique and unprecedented position."
As for current employees, they can expect to shoulder more of the expense related to health coverage in 2011, according to this survey. In fact, 65 percent of employers plan to increase cost sharing next year for things such as deductibles, co-pays and out-of-pocket maximums. What's more, 57 percent of companies say they will ask employees to contribute more for the overall cost of health care in 2011. The amount of cost sharing implemented by employers varies. On plan design (e.g., deductibles, co-pays and out-of-pocket maximums), 46 percent of employers are shifting costs to employees equal to the overall renewal increase, while an additional 46 percent are shifting costs to workers that are less than the overall renewal increase. For overall health plan cost, 40 percent of employers say the additional worker contributions will be equal to the 2011 renewal increase, and 49 percent indicate that workers will be asked to pay less than next year's renewal increase.
"We believe the new health reform law will increase health care costs by 2 percent to 4 percent during the next three years," said Tom Lerche, senior vice president with Aon Consulting. "In addition, we expect to see new costs related to excise taxes and potential cost shifting from reductions in Medicare reimbursement to providers, which will be on top of existing long-term medical trend inflation. These factors will lead many employers to consider increased employee contributions for health coverage, as well as plan design cost sharing."
To learn more about Aon Consulting's 2010 Benefits Survey, please visit www.aon.com/2010survey.
* COBRA - refers to the Consolidated Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, and includes provisions for members of company health plans who have lost their coverage due to a "qualifying event" to continue coverage at the employee's expense for a period of time.
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Aon Consulting surveyed 1,079 employers nationwide in its 2010 Benefits Survey, and found an increase in monthly COBRA* contributions for terminated employees. Specifically, the average monthly cost for employee-only HMO coverage for a terminated worker is $429 this year, compared to $399 for the same coverage in 2009. For employee plus family, the former employee is paying $1,251 a month this year, compared to $1,171 per month last year. As for PPO coverage, the average monthly cost for employee only is $449 in 2010, compared to $439 in 2009, and for employee plus family, the cost tops out at a monthly average of $1,310 this year, versus $1,275 last year. (Click on the following link to see charts on a detailed year-over-year comparison: http://aon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1998)
"The increased frequency and duration of COBRA use is creating a significant strain on the program, leading to higher costs," said John Zern, executive vice president and Health & Benefits Practice director with Aon Consulting. "Those who are unemployed, and facing uncertainty about employment prospects and future COBRA availability, are utilizing the program more than we've traditionally seen to treat a variety of conditions prior to potentially losing coverage. This coupled with the high unemployment rate, is placing the COBRA program in a unique and unprecedented position."
As for current employees, they can expect to shoulder more of the expense related to health coverage in 2011, according to this survey. In fact, 65 percent of employers plan to increase cost sharing next year for things such as deductibles, co-pays and out-of-pocket maximums. What's more, 57 percent of companies say they will ask employees to contribute more for the overall cost of health care in 2011. The amount of cost sharing implemented by employers varies. On plan design (e.g., deductibles, co-pays and out-of-pocket maximums), 46 percent of employers are shifting costs to employees equal to the overall renewal increase, while an additional 46 percent are shifting costs to workers that are less than the overall renewal increase. For overall health plan cost, 40 percent of employers say the additional worker contributions will be equal to the 2011 renewal increase, and 49 percent indicate that workers will be asked to pay less than next year's renewal increase.
"We believe the new health reform law will increase health care costs by 2 percent to 4 percent during the next three years," said Tom Lerche, senior vice president with Aon Consulting. "In addition, we expect to see new costs related to excise taxes and potential cost shifting from reductions in Medicare reimbursement to providers, which will be on top of existing long-term medical trend inflation. These factors will lead many employers to consider increased employee contributions for health coverage, as well as plan design cost sharing."
To learn more about Aon Consulting's 2010 Benefits Survey, please visit www.aon.com/2010survey.
* COBRA - refers to the Consolidated Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, and includes provisions for members of company health plans who have lost their coverage due to a "qualifying event" to continue coverage at the employee's expense for a period of time.
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Thursday, August 05, 2010
How Local Governments Are Addressing Retiree Health Care Funding
/PRNewswire/ -- A new issue brief from the Center for State and Local Government Excellence finds that the economy has slowed the ability of local governments to address long-term funding of their retiree health care obligations.
The brief follows up on a 2009 survey in which 206 local governments indicated they were likely to adopt a long-term strategy to strengthen their retiree health care funding, including:
-- establishing a Section 115 trust (governmental); medical subaccount
[401(h)]; or Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) trust
[501(c)(9)];
-- issuing OPEB bonds;
-- increasing the years of service for vesting for RHC;
-- increasing the age at which RHC is available;
-- terminating retiree health care for all new hires.
Since then, the economy, insufficient revenues, and competing budget priorities have posed the greatest impediment to their plans.
The new brief finds that many jurisdictions are making sweeping changes in their retiree health care plans:
-- 36 percent have increased or plan to increase the years of service
required to vest.
-- 11 percent have increased the retirement age.
-- 39 percent have eliminated or plan to eliminate retiree health
benefits for new hires.
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The brief follows up on a 2009 survey in which 206 local governments indicated they were likely to adopt a long-term strategy to strengthen their retiree health care funding, including:
-- establishing a Section 115 trust (governmental); medical subaccount
[401(h)]; or Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) trust
[501(c)(9)];
-- issuing OPEB bonds;
-- increasing the years of service for vesting for RHC;
-- increasing the age at which RHC is available;
-- terminating retiree health care for all new hires.
Since then, the economy, insufficient revenues, and competing budget priorities have posed the greatest impediment to their plans.
The new brief finds that many jurisdictions are making sweeping changes in their retiree health care plans:
-- 36 percent have increased or plan to increase the years of service
required to vest.
-- 11 percent have increased the retirement age.
-- 39 percent have eliminated or plan to eliminate retiree health
benefits for new hires.
-----
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Thursday, July 29, 2010
Many Americans Still Confused About New Healthcare Reform Law and its Provisions
/PRNewswire/ -- Not sure what's in--and not in--the new healthcare legislation signed into law by President Barack Obama in March? You're not alone. More than 2,100 adults were given a list of 18 reform items and asked to identify what's included and what's not included in the law. Only four items were correctly identified by the majority of those polled.
Most (58 percent) know that the reform package will prohibit insurers from denying coverage to people because they are already sick; 55 percent know the law permits children to stay on their parents' insurance plan until age 26; and 52 percent realize that people who don't have insurance will be subject to financial penalties. Additionally, half are aware that employers with more than 50 employees will have to offer their workers affordable insurance.
These are some of the major findings of today's HealthDay/Harris Poll, conducted between July 15 to 19, 2010 among 2,104 adults (aged 18 and over).
Among other findings: 82 percent think the bill will result in rationing of health care or that it might (it won't); 79 percent don't know or aren't sure if drug companies will pay an annual fee, (they will); 73 percent don't know the law establishes a new tax on the sale of medical devices; 66 percent don't know or aren't sure if the legislation will result in insurance exchanges where people can shop for insurance, (it will); and 63 percent either aren't sure or don't know if the new law will increase the number of people eligible for Medicaid, (it will).
"The problem for the (Obama) administration is healthcare reform is fiendishly complicated because the healthcare system is fiendishly complicated, and it is not politically feasible to tear up the system and build it again," said Humphrey Taylor, chairman of the Harris Poll, Harris Interactive's long-running public opinion poll. "Instead you have to build on the system that you have. When you try to build on a fiendishly complicated system, you have fiendishly complicated reforms."
Another cause of the confusion is due to the long and heated political debate that surrounded the bill before it was passed, Taylor said.
"The level of ignorance and misinformation is sort of astounding," he said. "It seems people are still reacting to the rhetoric, not the substance of what is in the bill, because they don't actually know what is or is not in the actual legislation."
For more information, click here to read the full report and methodology. HealthDay's news report is available here. Full data on the poll and its methodology are available at Harris Interactive.
Note: Percentages may not add up exactly to 100% due to rounding.
Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States July 15 to 19, 2010 among 2,104 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.
All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.
Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
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Most (58 percent) know that the reform package will prohibit insurers from denying coverage to people because they are already sick; 55 percent know the law permits children to stay on their parents' insurance plan until age 26; and 52 percent realize that people who don't have insurance will be subject to financial penalties. Additionally, half are aware that employers with more than 50 employees will have to offer their workers affordable insurance.
These are some of the major findings of today's HealthDay/Harris Poll, conducted between July 15 to 19, 2010 among 2,104 adults (aged 18 and over).
Among other findings: 82 percent think the bill will result in rationing of health care or that it might (it won't); 79 percent don't know or aren't sure if drug companies will pay an annual fee, (they will); 73 percent don't know the law establishes a new tax on the sale of medical devices; 66 percent don't know or aren't sure if the legislation will result in insurance exchanges where people can shop for insurance, (it will); and 63 percent either aren't sure or don't know if the new law will increase the number of people eligible for Medicaid, (it will).
"The problem for the (Obama) administration is healthcare reform is fiendishly complicated because the healthcare system is fiendishly complicated, and it is not politically feasible to tear up the system and build it again," said Humphrey Taylor, chairman of the Harris Poll, Harris Interactive's long-running public opinion poll. "Instead you have to build on the system that you have. When you try to build on a fiendishly complicated system, you have fiendishly complicated reforms."
Another cause of the confusion is due to the long and heated political debate that surrounded the bill before it was passed, Taylor said.
"The level of ignorance and misinformation is sort of astounding," he said. "It seems people are still reacting to the rhetoric, not the substance of what is in the bill, because they don't actually know what is or is not in the actual legislation."
For more information, click here to read the full report and methodology. HealthDay's news report is available here. Full data on the poll and its methodology are available at Harris Interactive.
TABLE 1
KNOWLEDGE OF ITEMS THAT ARE INCLUDED IN REFORM BILL (PPACA)
"Please indicate if you believe each of the following is included (or
will result from) or is not included (or will not result from) the
health care reform bill that was signed by President Obama in March
of this year. If you don't know, please do not guess but
check "Not sure."
Base: All adults
Is Not
Is Included/ Included/
Will Result Will Not
From Result From Not
Sure
Not allowing insurers to deny
coverage to people % 58 9 34
because they are sick
Allowing children to stay on their
parents' insurance until % 55 9 35
they are 26 years old
Financial penalties for all
individuals who do not have or % 52 9 39
do not buy insurance
All employers with more than 50
employees must offer % 50 9 41
their employees affordable
insurance
Tax credits for small business to
provide insurance to % 43 14 43
their employees
Increasing the number of people who
are eligible for % 37 13 50
Medicaid
Insurance exchanges where people
can shop for % 35 14 52
insurance
A new tax on the sale of medical
devices % 27 13 60
An annual fee to be paid by drug
companies % 21 14 65
Note: Percentages may not add up exactly to 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 2
BELIEF THAT ITEMS NOT IN REFORM BILL (PPACA) ARE INCLUDED
"Please indicate if you believe each of the following is included (or
will result from) or is not included (or will not result from) the
health care reform bill that was signed by President Obama in March
of this year. If you don't know, please do not guess but
check "Not sure."
Base: All adults
Is Not
Is Included/ Included/
Will Result Will Not
From Result From Not
Sure
An increase in the federal
government's budget deficit % 45 13 42
Higher income taxes for the middle
class % 37 22 41
All Americans will have health
insurance % 36 29 35
New ways to ration health care % 36 18 46
A new government run health plan
to compete with % 36 22 43
private insurance plans
A cut in Medicare benefits % 33 21 45
Higher tax deductions from
workers' pay % 33 16 50
Panels to decide what care very
sick, older people % 30 26 44
should receive
Illegal aliens will have health
insurance % 28 27 45
Note: Percentages may not add up exactly to 100% due to rounding.
Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States July 15 to 19, 2010 among 2,104 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.
All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.
Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
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Thursday, June 10, 2010
Deloitte Survey: Majority of Insured Consumers Satisfied With Current Health Plan -- But Concerned About Changes Health Care Reform Act May Bring
/PRNewswire/ -- Of the 82 percent of consumers surveyed who consider themselves "well" or "adequately" insured, nearly all (96 percent) are somewhat or very satisfied with their health plans overall, according to a new Deloitte poll. (www.deloitte.com/us/consumerhealthpulse) Many are concerned the new health reform law will bring about significant changes to their current coverage. Of those enrolled in employer-sponsored health plans, 61 percent believe their employer will reduce benefits for dependents and retirees and 32 percent think employers will probably pay the penalty and discontinue health coverage for employees altogether.
"Anxiety about current and future health insurance coverage will continue to be a major issue for American consumers as health care reform is implemented nationally," stated Paul Keckley, Ph.D., executive director of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. "For example, our research shows that consumers who are covered through Medicare are more highly satisfied with their health care services than those in employer-sponsored plans."
Among survey respondents who consider themselves "very knowledgeable" about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, many also indicated concerns over the impact of health reform on access to quality health care. They believe that some hospitals and medical practices will close (72 percent) and that their employers may drop their coverage (51 percent).
The cost of care is also an issue for the majority of consumers. Survey respondents anticipate increases in taxes (76 percent), health insurance costs, including premiums and out-of pocket expenses (65 percent), hospitals and physicians services (66 percent), and the cost of medications (54 percent) as reform is implemented.
Age is a major factor contributing to opinions about health care reform. In general, younger adults are more positive about health reform than older consumers. According to the survey, more than half (51 percent) of 18-34 year-olds believe that the reform bill will reduce health care costs in the long term, compared to respondents 45-54 years old (23 percent), 55-64 years old (36 percent), and 65 years old and above (30 percent).
"Younger consumers are beginning to embrace a new norm for health care," said Keckley. "Those in the younger age groups, (18-44 years old), are increasingly aware that the health care reform process has many moving parts and that they may find themselves entering into a new pact with employers."
The Deloitte survey also identified that consumers with employer-sponsored coverage seem to be the most skeptical and expect to experience negative impacts from the implementation of reform. This segment of survey respondents agree with the following:
-- The cost of the health reform act will be higher than expected (82
percent), which is significantly different from those who are
individually insured (68 percent).
-- The health reform act will not reduce health care costs in the
long-term (58 percent), which is significantly different from the
uninsured (43 percent).
-- Employers will pass the increased cost of health benefits through to
their employees (80 percent).
"Our research indicates that health insurance plans and employers may need to collaborate more than ever to help ease the anxiety of plan participants and employees as new health reform measures are implemented," said John T. Bigalke, vice chairman and Deloitte's health sciences and government industry leader.
Additional key findings from the survey include:
-- Eighty-four percent of all consumers surveyed have health insurance.
-- More than half (56 percent) of those surveyed believe that incentives
for doctors and hospitals to use electronic medical records will be
effective or very effective at improving the overall performance of
the health care system.
-- Cutting the rate of growth of Medicare costs will be only somewhat or
not effective at improving the overall performance of the health care
system according to 60 percent of those surveyed.
-- Sixty-nine percent of those surveyed believe the issue is not whether
an organization is for-profit or not-for-profit -- it's what they do
that matters.
-- Sixty-one percent of respondents agree that a mix of for-profit and
not-for-profit organizations stimulates positive competition and
innovation.
Methodology:
This survey was conducted via telephone interviews within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions from May 21-24, 2010 among 1,019 adults ages 18 years old and above. Results were weighted to reflect the U.S. adult population. The survey results have a sampling error of +/- 3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
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"Anxiety about current and future health insurance coverage will continue to be a major issue for American consumers as health care reform is implemented nationally," stated Paul Keckley, Ph.D., executive director of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. "For example, our research shows that consumers who are covered through Medicare are more highly satisfied with their health care services than those in employer-sponsored plans."
Among survey respondents who consider themselves "very knowledgeable" about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, many also indicated concerns over the impact of health reform on access to quality health care. They believe that some hospitals and medical practices will close (72 percent) and that their employers may drop their coverage (51 percent).
The cost of care is also an issue for the majority of consumers. Survey respondents anticipate increases in taxes (76 percent), health insurance costs, including premiums and out-of pocket expenses (65 percent), hospitals and physicians services (66 percent), and the cost of medications (54 percent) as reform is implemented.
Age is a major factor contributing to opinions about health care reform. In general, younger adults are more positive about health reform than older consumers. According to the survey, more than half (51 percent) of 18-34 year-olds believe that the reform bill will reduce health care costs in the long term, compared to respondents 45-54 years old (23 percent), 55-64 years old (36 percent), and 65 years old and above (30 percent).
"Younger consumers are beginning to embrace a new norm for health care," said Keckley. "Those in the younger age groups, (18-44 years old), are increasingly aware that the health care reform process has many moving parts and that they may find themselves entering into a new pact with employers."
The Deloitte survey also identified that consumers with employer-sponsored coverage seem to be the most skeptical and expect to experience negative impacts from the implementation of reform. This segment of survey respondents agree with the following:
-- The cost of the health reform act will be higher than expected (82
percent), which is significantly different from those who are
individually insured (68 percent).
-- The health reform act will not reduce health care costs in the
long-term (58 percent), which is significantly different from the
uninsured (43 percent).
-- Employers will pass the increased cost of health benefits through to
their employees (80 percent).
"Our research indicates that health insurance plans and employers may need to collaborate more than ever to help ease the anxiety of plan participants and employees as new health reform measures are implemented," said John T. Bigalke, vice chairman and Deloitte's health sciences and government industry leader.
Additional key findings from the survey include:
-- Eighty-four percent of all consumers surveyed have health insurance.
-- More than half (56 percent) of those surveyed believe that incentives
for doctors and hospitals to use electronic medical records will be
effective or very effective at improving the overall performance of
the health care system.
-- Cutting the rate of growth of Medicare costs will be only somewhat or
not effective at improving the overall performance of the health care
system according to 60 percent of those surveyed.
-- Sixty-nine percent of those surveyed believe the issue is not whether
an organization is for-profit or not-for-profit -- it's what they do
that matters.
-- Sixty-one percent of respondents agree that a mix of for-profit and
not-for-profit organizations stimulates positive competition and
innovation.
Methodology:
This survey was conducted via telephone interviews within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions from May 21-24, 2010 among 1,019 adults ages 18 years old and above. Results were weighted to reflect the U.S. adult population. The survey results have a sampling error of +/- 3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
-----
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Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Launches Zagat Health Survey Tool
/PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGA) today announced the launch of the Zagat Health Survey tool, an online survey tool that will allow its members to share their physician experiences with other members throughout the state.
"Zagat is widely known and trusted for its ability to help people share and learn from other consumer experiences. By working with them we are able to create a trusted resource for our members that will actively engage them in sharing and using that information," said Monye Connolly, president of BCBSGA. "We are committed to providing our members with useful information to better help them navigate the health care system. Making information available, such as the patient experience information contained in the Zagat Health Survey, along with other quality and cost transparency information, is part of that commitment."
The Zagat Survey enables BCBSGA to address an unmet need for peer-to-peer interaction among health care consumers. The Zagat Health Survey tool provides a vehicle for members to review physicians based on a set of distinct criteria, creating a trusted resource to support informed member decision-making. The criteria are solely designed to reflect a consumer's experience with a physician and not to reflect the quality of care received. This tool not only helps members, but is also designed to assist doctors in understanding members' experiences.
The online survey tool allows consumers to review their doctor visits based on:
-- Trust - Confidence in the physician's approach
-- Communication - Physician's bedside manner, responsiveness and rapport
-- Availability - Convenience for making appointments and physician's
punctuality
-- Environment - Condition of the office, staff helpfulness, atmosphere
and amenities
Members are also asked whether they would recommend their doctor to others. The survey also features a comments section, allowing members to explain their ratings.
The online entry will display physician contact information, ratings on a 30-point scale for each of the four categories, and the percentage of members who recommend that physician. The most recent comments will be displayed first, and members will have the option to rate the usefulness of comments and report suspicious comments. BCBSGA members can complete the Zagat Health Survey by logging on to the secure member portal on the BCBSGA Web site.
"For physicians the Zagat survey tool can provide valuable, objective feedback on how their patients feel about them and their practice, information that often remains unknown," said Dr. Robert McCormack, medical director for BCBSGA. "For consumers, the survey can provide information to help them select a physician who is most likely aligned with their personal style and who will meet their health care needs. All-in-all, it is a viable mechanism that could very well change the way health care is measured and delivered throughout Georgia."
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"Zagat is widely known and trusted for its ability to help people share and learn from other consumer experiences. By working with them we are able to create a trusted resource for our members that will actively engage them in sharing and using that information," said Monye Connolly, president of BCBSGA. "We are committed to providing our members with useful information to better help them navigate the health care system. Making information available, such as the patient experience information contained in the Zagat Health Survey, along with other quality and cost transparency information, is part of that commitment."
The Zagat Survey enables BCBSGA to address an unmet need for peer-to-peer interaction among health care consumers. The Zagat Health Survey tool provides a vehicle for members to review physicians based on a set of distinct criteria, creating a trusted resource to support informed member decision-making. The criteria are solely designed to reflect a consumer's experience with a physician and not to reflect the quality of care received. This tool not only helps members, but is also designed to assist doctors in understanding members' experiences.
The online survey tool allows consumers to review their doctor visits based on:
-- Trust - Confidence in the physician's approach
-- Communication - Physician's bedside manner, responsiveness and rapport
-- Availability - Convenience for making appointments and physician's
punctuality
-- Environment - Condition of the office, staff helpfulness, atmosphere
and amenities
Members are also asked whether they would recommend their doctor to others. The survey also features a comments section, allowing members to explain their ratings.
The online entry will display physician contact information, ratings on a 30-point scale for each of the four categories, and the percentage of members who recommend that physician. The most recent comments will be displayed first, and members will have the option to rate the usefulness of comments and report suspicious comments. BCBSGA members can complete the Zagat Health Survey by logging on to the secure member portal on the BCBSGA Web site.
"For physicians the Zagat survey tool can provide valuable, objective feedback on how their patients feel about them and their practice, information that often remains unknown," said Dr. Robert McCormack, medical director for BCBSGA. "For consumers, the survey can provide information to help them select a physician who is most likely aligned with their personal style and who will meet their health care needs. All-in-all, it is a viable mechanism that could very well change the way health care is measured and delivered throughout Georgia."
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