Quote of the Day

"2015 will be a very good year for Blues plans. In an increasingly consumer-based buying environment, the Blues brand — coupled with good provider relations — will make business theirs to lose. The more the market is driven by individual consumer decisions, the better off the Blues will be."



— Joe Paduda, a principal at Health Strategy Associates, LLC., told The AIS Report on Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans*.

According to a recent analysis:

• Average health insurance premiums nationwide did not change from 2014 to 2015, although there were wide differences across states
• The average deductible for a marketplace health plan increased by just 1% from 2014 to 2015
• From 2008 to 2010, premiums grew an average 10% or more per year in state individual insurance markets

Source: "Analysis Finds No Nationwide Increase in Health Insurance Marketplace Premiums," The Commonwealth Fund Blog, December 22, 2014, http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/blog/2014/dec/zero-inflation-nationwide-for-marketplace-premiums

According to a recent survey,

35% of U.S. adults did not know a patient portal was available to them, and 31% said their physician had never talked with them about portals.

Source: "Annual Xerox EHR Survey: Americans Open to Viewing Test Results, Handling Healthcare Online," Xerox Press Release, December 16, 2014, http://news.xerox.com/news/Xerox-EHR-survey-finds-Americans-open-to-online-records

Percentage of covered workers in partially or self-funded plans

As cited in the December 2014 issue of Employee Benefit News, the percentage of covered workers in partially or completely self-funded plans, by firm size are listed below:

• 2010: Small firms - 16%, Large firms - 83%
• 2011: Small firms - 13%, Large firms - 82%
• 2012: Small firms - 15%, Large firms - 81%
• 2013: Small firms - 16%, Large firms - 83%
• 2014: Small firms - 15%, Large firms - 81%

Note: Small firms consist of 3-199 workers while Large firms consist of 200+ workers. 
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation/HRET Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Benefits, 2014

According to a recent report

...more than 2 million preschoolers, 35% of seniors and a majority of adults do not receive all recommended vaccinations.

Source: "Outbreaks: Protecting Americans from Infectious Diseases 2014," Trust for America's Health/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, December 2014, http://healthyamericans.org/assets/files/Final%20Outbreaks%202014%20Report.pdf

Quote of the Day

"Suggesting that coverage decisions drive the mental health challenges we face in this country does a disservice to the ongoing efforts — involving all stakeholders — to improve the country's health system for those who need behavioral health care."



— Karen Ignagni, president and CEO of America's Health Insurance Plans, said in a statement following a recent "60 Minutes" report that concerned Anthem Blue Cross' denial of coverage for members requiring mental health treatment.

Today's Datapoint

$665 million in ACA funding will go to 22 states, three territories and the District of Columbia to design and test new health care payment and service delivery models, HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell announced on Dec. 16.