News & Events

How much will health insurance premiums cost in the Nebraska Insurance Marketplace?

  The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released data on insurance premium rates for the 36 states in which HHS will support or fully run the Health Insurance Marketplace in 2014. HHS added a disclaimer to the release: “Plan data is in final stages but is still under review as of September 18 and may be revised in HHS systems before being displayed for consumers, so this information is subject to change.” The report shows that the monthly premiums in Nebraska for… Continue Reading

CMS Office of the Actuary projects modest health spending growth

From CMS press release: “Consistent with past years’ findings, a report today from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of the Actuary found that U.S. health care spending growth over the next ten years will be modest in comparison to historical trends, with increased spending the result of an improving economy and more accessible and affordable health coverage.  Low rates of health spending growth are anticipated to continue through 2013 in key areas such as hospital and drug spending. The study is… Continue Reading

Proposed rule posted by CMS for Basic Health Plan program

  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule establishing the standards for the Basic Health Program. The Basic Health Plan provision provides states the option to establish a health benefits coverage program for uninsured individuals with incomes between 133-200% FPL who would otherwise be eligible to receive premium subsidies in the Health Insurance Marketplace. This proposed rule sets forth a framework for Basic Health Program eligibility and enrollment, benefits, delivery of health care services, transfer of funds to participating states,… Continue Reading

Find Affordable Care Act help at Omaha Public Library

Omaha Public Library will partner with AARP and HR Benefit Group to offer a series of programs throughout October to help navigate the policies put in place by the new health care law. Three unique programs are open to the public and free of charge. Anyone who will be affected by the new law is encouraged to attend. More information and additional resources are available at guides.omahalibrary.org/affordablecare. Health Insurance with the Affordable Care Act An AARP representative will examine the options open to individuals and… Continue Reading

Final Rule Announced – Medicaid State Disproportionate Share Hospital Allotment Reductions

Expanded coverage thanks to the Affordable Care Act through the Medicaid program and through Health Insurance Marketplaces is expected to significantly reduce uncompensated care borne by hospitals and other providers. Therefore, the Affordable Care Act requires aggregate reductions to state Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotments annually from fiscal year (FY) 2014 through FY 2020. CMS released the final rule Friday September 13, 2013 on the methodology for determining the annual reductions to state-wide DSH allotments for all states for FY 2014 and 2015. In… Continue Reading

Visualizing Hospital Pricing

  It’s no secret healthcare procedures often cost way more in the U.S. than they do in other countries. Healthcare costs also vary incredibly across different regions within the U.S. The health reform law has a provision that mandates greater transparency of data, which will arm the public with more information. Beehive Media, a data visualization and design company, created interactive graphics to visualize hospital price data as part of a competition put on by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. If you would like to… Continue Reading