Health Insurance

Up-to-date information and guidance on state and federal health insurance requirements.
09.17.2018  | Healthcare Beats Benchmark – But Big Problem Looming
The state’s Center for Health Information and Analysis released its latest annual report on the performance of the Massachusetts healthcare system – and the picture it paints is a positive one.
08.06.2018  | Reform Bill Agreement Stalls at Final Hour of Session
The legislative effort to get Massachusetts community hospitals some much-needed financial relief failed last week as the House and Senate were unable to reach compromise on two similar bills.
07.16.2018  | CHIA Plans to Release Data Set Explaining CompareCare
On Friday CHIA will post on the CompareCare website a spreadsheet containing the data it used to populate its procedure pricing tool.
06.25.2018  | House Healthcare Bill Includes Help for Hospitals
A conference committee will now attempt to resolve differences between the House bill and legislation from the Senate passed last year.
06.25.2018  | Association Health Plans Expanded, Drawing Criticism
The Department of Labor last week released a final rule that allows for the expansion of Association Health Plans.
06.18.2018  | Mass. House Releases Major Healthcare Overhaul
The Massachusetts House of Representatives could begin consideration as early as tomorrow on a massive healthcare reform bill.
06.11.2018  | DeLeo Indicates House Healthcare Reform Bill Due this Month
The State House News last week quoted House Speaker Bob DeLeo as saying he expects a House healthcare cost-control bill on the floor by the end of June.
06.04.2018  | Reducing Inappropriate ED Use to Reduce Costs
Last week 20 Massachusetts business groups announced that they were beginning an effort to reduce avoidable use of hospital emergency departments.
05.21.2018  | CHIA’s Transparency Site for Consumers Goes Live
The Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) has launched CompareCare.
05.21.2018  | Senate Budget Debate Begins; MHA Suggests Two Amendments
Debate on the Massachusetts Senate’s budget proposal begins tomorrow and MHA has two priority amendment.
05.14.2018  | New National Rankings Undercut Ratio Proponent Arguments
The Commonwealth Fund’s most recent Scorecard on State Health System Performance places Massachusetts at number 2 in the nation – up from fifth place in 2017.
05.14.2018  | HPC Hears Concerns Over Insurers’ Pharmacy Mandates
MHA has informed the HPC about patient safety and cost considerations related to insurance companies’ drug policies.
04.30.2018  | Mass. Providers, Insurers, Consumers Unite to Oppose Rule
A federal proposed rule to allow short-term, limited-duration insurance could expose individuals to higher healthcare costs.
04.23.2018  | Three Hospital Priorities for FY2019 House Budget Debate
Debate begins today on the Massachusetts House Ways & Means Committee’s state budget proposal for FY 2019.
04.23.2018  | Immigration Toolkit Complements MHA Efforts
With increased federal activity relating to immigration, healthcare facilities have been grappling with questions related to patients and staff whose legal status in the U.S. may be in jeopardy.
04.16.2018  | MassHealth ACO Program Continues to Evolve
MassHealth continues to tweak its sweeping Accountable Care Organization (ACO) program that went live in March.
04.16.2018  | New (and Limited) Transparency Site Nears Completion
The new transparency website from the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) is nearing completion.
03.26.2018  | State Funding for Primary Care Providers Needing ACO Help
EOHHS announced a new opportunity for primary care providers seeking to participate in the new MassHealth ACO program.
03.19.2018  | Correction
A story in last week’s Monday Report incorrectly stated that Anthem Ins. Co. does not have a presence in Mass.
03.12.2018  | Insurance Company Policies in the ED
Another big health insurance company has rolled out an emergency department claims-payment strategy that is raising concern.

Resources

Click on the links below for easy access to important information related to state healthcare issues and advocacy.
Visit the Commonwealth of Massachusetts websites below to find information on legislative hearings and other meetings of interest to the healthcare community.
To guide your navigation of the legislative process and assist your advocacy efforts, please visit the following state websites:
MHA has also developed the following documents for your information and benefit: