Tuesday, June 10, 2014

According to a recent survey, approval of the Affordable Care Act breaks down by racial/ethnic group as follows:

• Blacks: 76% approve, 18% disapprove
• Hispanics: 57% approve, 33% disapprove
• Whites: 35% approve, 61% disapprove

Source: "Despite Enrollment Success, Healthcare Law Still Unpopular," Gallup.com Press Release, May 29, 2014,

http://www.gallup.com/poll/170750/despite-enrollment-success-healthcare-law-remains-unpopular.aspx

Monday, June 9, 2014

States with Highest Percentage of Medicare Enrollees in Managed Care

1. Minnesota - 46.9%
2. Hawaii - 44.6%
3. Oregon - 41.1%
4. Pennsylvania - 38.4%
5. Arizona - 36.8%


Source: Health, United States, 2013, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics

Questions To Ask As You Approach Retirement at 65

1. The availability of coverage for an employer or a spouses’ employer should factor into someone’s Medicare choices
2. Choose between (a) Original Medicare, plus prescription drug Part D plans and possibly Medigap supplemental coverage or (b) a Medicare Advantage plan
3. A spouse and children covered under employer health insurance need to be provided for when moving to Medicare coverage
4. Depending on their employer’s size, the retiree upon turning 65 may need to enroll in Medicare and coordinate coverage with both their employer and the federal program
5. Individuals who didn’t enroll in Part B when they were first eligible may receive a special enrollment period when existing coverage ends
6. Medigap, or supplemental Medicare insurance, must be considered at age 65, waiting can limit the options available


Source: Benefits Pro

May Medicare Advantage Enrollment Summary

1. Local CCPs - 13,955,278
2. PFFS - 305,351
3. MSA - 11,278
4. Regional PPOs - 1,231,124
5. MA Total - 15,503,031


Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Today's Datapoint

About 1 million people who listed incomes on their health insurance applications for coverage on public exchanges that were different from separate IRS documents may be receiving the incorrect amount of federal subsidies for their purchases.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

According to a recent survey of health center leaders

...use of electronic health records increased 133% in federally qualified health centers between 2009 and 2013

Source: "New Survey: Community Health Centers Make Substantial Gains in Health Information Technology Use, Remain Concerned About Ability to Meet Increased Demand Following ACA Coverage Expansions," The Commonwealth Fund Press Release, May 16, 2014, http://www.commonwealthfund.org/News/News-Releases/2014/May/New-Survey-community-health-centers.aspx

Today's Datapoint

17% … of Americans now receive their health care through an ACO and two-thirds have access to one, according to an analysis from the consulting firm Oliver Wyman.