CT exchange premiums up this year, but similar to other states and still too high

There have been national reports of extreme increases for this year in health insurance exchange premiums, largely due to Trump administration policies. Not surprisingly, a new analysis by the Urban Institute for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation finds that states with more competition among insurers and more options for consumers have the lowest premiums. Connecticut’s experience was mixed. In good news -- the average lowest silver plan for 40-year-old nonsmoker here rose 24.7% from 2017 to 2018 while the national increase averaged 32%. But we are still an expensive state; our least expensive silver plan premium is 21% higher than the US average. The least expensive gold plan premium in CT rose 34%, much higher than the US average of 19%. In sum, CT’s exchange record remains very mixed.

2018 CTMOM free dental clinic dates announced

This year’s annual free dental clinic will be April 20 – 21 at Torrington High School. Doors open at 8am. The clinic, in its 12^th year, is sponsored by the nonprofit CT Mission of Mercy (CTMOM) moves around the state each year. Last year the clinic provided over $1 million of free dental care to 1,472 mainly uninsured people. Click here for more information, to volunteer or sponsor. And lets work all year to provide decent oral health coverage to every CT resident, regardless of circumstances.

Book Club -- Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression and the Unexpected Solutions

For the Book Club -- Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression and the Unexpected Solutions

By Johann Hari, 2018

Depression and anxiety are becoming growing epidemic across the globe. This fascinating book by a sufferer explores the medicalization of the illnesses and over-reliance on drugs as a solution. Instead he explores social causes related to disconnection from meaningful work, other people, nature, meaningful values, childhood trauma, status/respect, and a secure future. He includes an impressive amount of research to support each cause, and ends with reasonable, workable, effective solutions for society, communities and for individuals. As a policy advocate, I appreciated a new perspective and how policies can support or undermine general mental health. Both inspirational and useful.

New Hartford HealthCare-Tufts insurance company raises concerns

Wednesday, Hartford HealthCare and Tufts Health Plan announced the formation of a new, jointly-owned insurer, CarePartners of Connecticut, to sell Medicare Advantage plans to Connecticut residents for next year, pending CMS approval. Hartford HealthCare includes thousands of providers in home health care, rehab services, long term care, behavioral healthcare, and five hospitals, to date. In 2015 Tufts Health Plan moved beyond their Massachusetts-based market, embarking on a similar arrangement in New Hampshire with a network of five hospitals offering coverage to employer groups. Previously, in the 1990’s, Tufts began to sell insurance in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Maine reaching 145,000 policyholders before shutting down in 2000 due to financial reasons.

Provider-insurer companies are a new but growing trend across the nation; this will be the first of this type in Connecticut. Similar concerns were raised in 2015 when ProHealth Physicians joined Optum, which also includes UnitedHealth Group. Advocates have been concerned about the growing integration between insurers and large provider health systems. Concerns include weak regulatory oversight, vertical consolidation of the market reducing competition, and confusion about where people call with complaints. While difficult contract negotiations between insurers and large health systems too often spill into the media, scaring consumers about reductions in access to care, the natural tensions also serve to control costs. If both parties are in the same entity, there are concerns that consumers will pay more and get less. There are also competitiveness concerns about provider networks’ willingness to contract with other insurers.