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Utah HIX attacked

The Utah Health Exchange--developed before the Affordable Care Act mandate--was hacked last month. The Salt Lake Tribune reports the hack was a "graffiti attack" on the shopping portal; the site was down for about 10 days. Protected health information, on a separate secure site, was not compromised, according to Mike Sullivan, spokesman for the Governor's Office of Economic Development where the exchange is housed. Because no harm was done there will be no criminal investigation, he told the Tribune. "There's nothing to investigate. Do you investigate the kid who spray paints your mailbox?" (Salt Lake Tribune)

A recent URAC webinar offered guidance on the process for accrediting Qualified Health Plans for health insurance exchanges. Tara Oakman, Ph.D., of HHS offered several insights. Among them: In order for a QHP to be certified for HIX participation, its issuer must be accredited by an HHS-recognized accrediting entity on a timeline established by the HIX. The webinar addressed several other issues, including  the formal applications and review process, and the requirements for accreditation. Details are available here. Earlier this year, HHS nominated URAC and NCQA to serve as accrediting entities. (URAC) 

   

 

States seek HHS clarification 

Wyoming and Pennsylvania leaders say they lack information they need to make a decision on HIX, McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP reports in its "State of the States" report. Gov. Matt Mead announced Wyoming won't meet the Nov. 16 deadline for declaring its plans to establish a health insurance exchange, because he has yet to hear response to questions he submitted to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in mid-July. And in a recent Congressional hearing, Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Consedine complained of a lack of "clear direction" from HHS on a number of key issues, including essential health benefits. (JDSupra)

  

State Updates

Vermont HIX part of single-payer effort

In a recent local meeting, Department of Vermont Health Access Commissioner Mark Larson described the workings of the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange--and discussed how the exchange is expected to be the platform that will help Vermont transition into a single-payer health care system by 2017. Larson explained the technological infrastructure (funded by a $104 million federal grant) will be designed to support the single-payer system. (Addison County Independent)



Ill. governor to decide on essential benefits

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is running out of time to decide which benefits will be required in basic health insurance plans sold to individuals and small businesses in Illinois under the ACA. Although the governor hasn't been able to push through needed legislation, he doesn't need legislative approval for essential health benefits. (Associated Press; Kaiser Health News) 

 

 

Ken. HIX executive order stirs lawmaker acrimony

The debate over Kentucky's health insurance exchange ended with a walkout by Democratic lawmakers, public radio station WKMS reports. The reason: Republicans on the joint Health and Welfare Committee tried to declare illegal Gov. Steve Beshear's executive order establishing the exchange. Republicans contend the governor should have sought legislative approval to create the exchange. Democrats disagree. (WKMS)

 

Innovators

Xerox wins Nevada HIX contract

Nevada has awarded Xerox a contract worth $72 million to provide the technology and services to design and build the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange. In addition to developing and operating the Web portal and online selection tool for health care coverage plans, Xerox will also manage a customer contact center to share information with participants about the price and quality of health services. (InformationWeek)



California blazing a HIX trail 

California--with seven million uninsured people, more than any other state--may be providing a road map for other states as it moves toward launching a HIX. According to the New York Times, no state is being watched as closely as California, "whose singular challenges, from the size, diversity and geographic spread of its uninsured population to its vast budget problems, make it stand out." (New York Times)  

    

 

Colorado seeks state-specific solutions 

Colorado is moving forward with broad consensus on the minimum level of health coverage people will be required to carry beginning in 2014. According to a report from Colorado Public Radio and Kaiser Health News, Colorado is working harder than most states to meet deadlines under the Affordable Care Act. But it is insisting on independence: "Colorado-specific solutions" is actually codified in legislation establishing a state health insurance exchange. (Kaiser Health News)

 
Consumers & Providers   
California HIX wants to go prime time. Literally.

Officials in California want prime-time TV shows to help California's insurance exchange, The Hill reports. It cites the exchange's PR plan, which says "individuals from California's robust entertainment industry will be approached at the most senior levels" to promote the new marketplace and get people enrolled. "In addition, we would explore approaching select reality television producers to create a new reality television program revealing the trials and tribulations of families living without medical coverage," the plan states. (The Hill)  

 


HIX not on consumers' radar

HealthDay provided an update on the status of HIX implementation--as well as the challenges. Although the final rule on the design and implementation of insurance exchanges was issued in March, many issues, including cost, remain unresolved, according to Navigant Consulting's Cristine Vogel. And while HIX may be an important issue to politicians, policymakers and the health care industry, it hasn't captured the public's imagination: Even though many would benefit from the tax credits and consumer assistance exchanges will offer, exchange implementation, for the most part, isn't even on consumers' radar, she says. (HealthDay via Health.com)

 

 

Oregon will have CO-OP for freelancers

Independent workers in Oregon can sign up for the Freelancers CO-OP of Oregon when HIX enrollment begins next October, according to the Lund Report. The CO-OP has entered into a partnership agreement with Providence Health System to provide the state network of physicians and hospitals and to handle claims administration and medical management. Oregon received loans to start two CO-OPs--Freelancers CO-OP and Oregon's Health CO-OP. (the Lund Report)

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MarketVoices...quotes worth reading

 

"I really doubt too many people even understand the health-care reform law and the exchanges." -- Navigant Consulting's Cristine Vogel, quoted by HealthDay

 

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