...
Washington's exchange will essentially be a public-private partnership designed to give consumers an easy way to compare the benefits of various plans, said Richard Onizuka, the assistant director of the Health Care Policy Division of the state Health Care Authority. It will be developed and implemented by a board of nine officials from health agencies, the medical industry and other sectors appointed by Gov. Chris Gregoire and two non-voting members.
...
Along with the website, the exchange will perform several functions. It will certify qualified health plans based on federal standards, provide information for consumers about their eligibility for Medicaid and other health programs, and operate a hotline for consumers. It will also run "navigator" programs, systems set up to inform people and assist them in purchasing the best health plan for them.
The exchange will offer several categories of plans. Platinum, the highest-coverage option, will pay for 90 percent of the costs to cover a list of benefits the government considers essential, such as emergency care. Bronze, a lower-coverage option, will pay for 60 percent of the costs. Silver and gold plans will fall between the two. The "essential benefits" covered in each plan include access to prescription drugs, mental health care, hospitalization and maternity care.
Under the new system, catastrophic plans will be offered solely inside the exchange. These plans are only available for low-income consumers age 30 or younger, and they offer a low coverage level.
...
Under the new system, insurance providers will be able to sell plans outside the exchange if they so choose. Concern recently arose at the Insurance Commissioner's Office over the possibility that providers would opt to offer cheaper plans outside the exchange without providing more expensive and options.
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/03/washingtons_fledgling_health_i.html
Hat Tip: Oregon Live
No comments:
Post a Comment