Information Center Health

With a law as complicated as the protection of the law of patients and care affordable (CHP), the unintended consequences are always a concern. Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that the medical community witnessing the emergence of a significant unintended consequence - tax benefits flexible spending accounts can not be used to pay at the counter medications without a prescription by law Many patients are currently on a visit to your physician for the express purpose of getting new recipes prescription drugs. The change in the law intended to discourage unnecessary spending on some health products and increase revenue. Instead, critics say the provision of increased costs of health care. The unintended consequences of care for health reform law is an area of ​​interest of Aetna insurance and will continue to urge flexibility in the implementation process to help address the unintended consequences.

Federal

In response to several requests for clarification (including Aetna Insurance), federal regulators last week issued Question & Answer document, which further refines the previous proposed rule 'the health of students. In short, this statement makes clear that none of the health plans PPACA students' policy until after 2012, or until the academic year 2012-2013. Q & A is also clarified that the proposed regulation is intended to show what parts of the health plans PPACA applies to students' attention. This is good news for college and university community. Aetna to communicate with customers in a way that is consistent with explanations of last week, several schools heard conflicting advice from state regulators.

House passes continuing resolution includes language that "prohibits the use of funds to pay for one, an official employee, contractor or owner of any authority or agency to implement the provisions of" PPACA. Letter to Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius made several claims that if the de-funding of the provisions of resolution framework law, seniors will lose access to Medicare Advantage plans and other services. The Senate Republicans were quick to dispute these allegations, the Secretary-General imagined scenarios are not permitted under the rules of Congress, do not worry, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and HHS can be prevented.

Senator Orrin Hatch and means Committee Chairman Dave Camp has also sent a letter expressing their disappointment Sebelius Secretary of what they called the letter was "unfounded allegations" and expressed hope that "the urgency with which this letter was sent to Chairman Baucus is also used to address a growing backlog of serious questions. "The CBO also issued a letter on the consequences of the decision, including the impact of the provisions of funding for Medicare Advantage. The letter indicates the funding rules would have minimal impact MA budget 5.7 billion dollars over 10 years.

States

Special Adviser to the Governor Jan Brewer on innovations in health insurance Arizona health held a meeting last week with the insurance companies in the health status in adulthood, including Aetna Insurance, to discuss the team's identification of gaps in the state should seek to develop online product selection and registration mechanism for the exchange of insurance. Solutions of social interest, the organization that developed the application form currently used by applicants for Medicaid, a demonstration of the application process. Individual interviews were conducted with staff from each firm recommendations for the new system.

The Property Committee voted last week for a replacement for rate approval letters before each section retains the original invoice issues. Sections of interest include public hearings, new powers to subpoena the Attorney General of Connecticut, and Health Insurance lawyer, the notice requirements of several new definitions and inappropriate, excessive and unfairly discriminatory. The only change is that the Commissioner must promulgate regulations to carry out the proposed public hearing process. The total contingent of Republicans and Rep. Linda Schofield (Rep.) voted against the bill, with Schofield said he was concerned the bill gets rid of any program under which the Department must act and require hearing inept government for group rates. He said the bill would give the Attorney General and lawyer with extraordinary subpoena powers. The presidents stated that the draft is a work in progress.

Health Insurance Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty, has revealed that a portion of this loss of physicians (MLR) HHS waiver request this week.

Georgia health insurance Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens said he would request a waiver application to HHS MLR in a week. Aetna Insurance continues to work with the Chamber of Commerce and sponsors plan to help defeat legislation that would be applicable prompt pay requirements for self-funded plans, in violation of ERISA.

Oklahoma Health Insurance Last week, the state Republican Mike Ritz, one of two doctors serving the Oklahoma legislature, called for state officials to turn down $ 54 million, which is used to implement the new federal health care. Soon after, Governor Mary Fallin joined other heads of state at the time of notification of Oklahoma approved the grant to help design and implement information technology infrastructure to operate in Oklahoma health insurance exchange. Autumn is listed on the creation of such exchange, as one of its most important goals in his State of the Union address earlier this month. He and others expressed their support for granted after working with government agencies to ensure that a federal mandate unworkable were involved.

Later this week, the legislature has taken steps to reduce the liability of the uninsured in Oklahoma. Kris Steele, Chairman of the House, has written a bill that defines the composition and duties of the board of health care uninsured (HUB), which is to establish an advisory system, including a website to educate and help consumers choose the insurance that meets their needs. The seven-HUB consists of representatives from the Insurance Agency, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, insurance companies, agents, and also for consumers. The objective is to implement the system hub for the exchange of market-based insurance. Public Health Committee of the House bill at the end of the week and progresses to the house plan.

Texas regulators of health insurance are struggling with the extent to which they should intervene in what residents eat, drink and breathe. In a state with some of the highest rates of obesity and diabetes, said supporters of the various proposals, they try to give Texans more ways to fight against unhealthy decisions of others, and make the right choices for themselves. President of the Texas Medical Association testified last week in favor of a bill prohibiting the sale of unhealthy beverages (sweetened fruit juices, sodas, whole milk) for students during school hours. Other bills would allow for the state to levy taxes on sugary soft drinks and fine restaurants not to display nutritional information.

About 30 percent of Texas schoolchildren are overweight or obese, according to the policy Texas Public School Nutrition. And last month, Comptroller Susan Combs, Republican issued a report saying obesity cost Texas businesses 9500000000 dollars in 2009 - which could reach $ 32 billion by 2030, because the cost of health services, absenteeism, decreased productivity and disability. Lawmakers continue to debate on these bills until the May 31 session updates.