health insurance

Hittner Nominated as Next Health Insurance Commissioner

Kristin Gourlay — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 20:20:29 +0000

Governor Lincoln Chafee has nominated Dr. Kathleen Hittner as Rhode Island’s next Health Insurance Commissioner. Hittner must be confirmed by the senate.

Hittner has been tapped to replace outgoing commissioner Chris Koller, who is stepping down to become president of the Milbank Memorial Fund in New York City.

RI Insurers Must Disclose Prices to Doctors

Kristin Gourlay — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:17:54 +0000

For the first time, Rhode Island’s insurance commissioner has directed health insurers to disclose what they pay for health care services. But that information won’t necessarily be directly available to patients.

Online Health Insurance Marketplace to Offer 28 Plans

Kristin Gourlay — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:44:46 +0000

Rhode Island’s online marketplace for health insurance is taking shape in preparation for October 1^st. That's the date the exchange is scheduled to be up and running with a variety of new health plans to choose from.

Are You Eligible for Health Care Tax Credits?

Kristin Gourlay — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:08:03 +0000

A new report from consumer health care advocacy group Families USA crunched the numbers, state by state. They found that almost 83,000 Rhode Islanders will be eligible for something called the "premium tax credit" in 2014. Families USA, by the way, calls itself nonpartisan, although some say the organization is biased because of its clear support for the Affordable Care Act.

Insurance Commissioner Koller Stepping Down

Kristin Gourlay — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:01:43 +0000

Rhode Island’s first health insurance commissioner, Christopher Koller, will be leaving his post this summer. Koller will be heading a foundation in New York City.

Health Insurers Seek Rate Hikes for 2014

Kristin Gourlay — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:42:29 +0000

Rhode Island health insurers have filed their requests for increases in premium rates next year. Some small businesses and individuals could see some significant hikes.

Small businesses could see their plan rates drop as much as 20 percent or spike as much as 40 percent. But the average Blue Cross increase is expected to be about 15 percent. Tufts asked for about 13 percent.

Lt. Gov. Roberts: Planning a New Way to Pay for Health Care

Kristin Gourlay — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:08:17 +0000

Rhode Island is beginning a public effort to develop a statewide plan to improve the way we pay for health care. Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts is leading the effort.

With a $1.6 million dollar grant from the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Roberts launched the six-month planning initiative. A series of public meetings will gather input from experts and community members. Roberts says she wants a plan to help health care providers and insurers move away from payments for a particular treatment or service toward paying for improved health.

No Delay for Rhode Island's Health Insurance Exchange for Small Businesses

Kristin Gourlay — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:04:15 +0000

The federal government is pushing back the launch of an online health insurance marketplace for small businesses that’s part of the Affordable Care Act. But there will be no delay in Rhode Island.

Will Health Insurance Costs Rise for Rhode Islanders Under the ACA?

Kristin Gourlay — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:11:24 +0000

You may have seen some headlines about a new report from the Society of Actuaries (the super-smart, nerdy folks who figure out how much risk, say, an insurance company can afford to take on), decrying the near-certain rise in the cost of health insurance for newly insured folks under the Affordable Care Act.

Lifespan Facing "Significant" Budget Shortfall

Kristin Gourlay — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:34:59 +0000

The state’s largest hospital system is facing some unanticipated budget shortfalls. Lifespan isn’t saying yet whether the fix will include layoffs.

Lifespan released a statement saying it had asked employees and physicians to review their budgets and look for ways to trim expenses. No word yet on what immediate steps the organization might take to stem the financial losses - but Lifespan says they won’t compromise patient care and that they’ll "work hard to minimize the impact on...employees."