Health Insurance Reform Weekly Medical cost trends for 2012

and PricewaterhouseCoopers Health Solutions MedCom released two new positions in the health care cost trends over the past week, relying on the exemption Milliman Medical Index PwC Health Research Institute "Behind the numbers:. Medical cost trends for 2012," explores the medical cost trends for employers in 2012. This new report "Medical cost trend is expected to increase by 8 percent in 2011 to 8.5 percent in 2012." And the two main drivers are identified PwC service consolidation and cost shifting to the private sector.

Providing views on prescription drug utilization and cost trends, MedCom Annual Drug Trend report showed this week that, while overall growth in prescription drug prices at a historic low (as a result of increased use of generic drugs), the cost of special treatment is still growing at an alarming rate . MedCom to report "Special drug trend is 17.4 percent in 2010, driven by unit cost growth of 11.5 percent."

federal

No federal report this week.

States

Arizona: Department of Insurance (DOI) held a public hearing on the rate review as part of its Health and Human Services (HHS) grant aktivnosti.DOI Mercer Consulting was retained to help in carrying out analysis to identify areas that need to be addressed in order to comply with the requirements of the Act protection of affordable (ACA). During the discussion, it was noted that the current state legislative scheme does not allow the DOI to review health insurance medical loss ratio, potentially not allowing the state to meet the needs of HHS to "effective rate review process."

Director of Insurance and the Governor's Office has also hosted the first working group on implementation of the exchange. Despite the legislature's refusal to pass the Exchange account, there is concern at the executive level about the lack of preparedness in case of ACA is not repealed or found unconstitutional. This week's theme was certified by a qualified health plan, and participants focused on not adding requirements beyond the minimum requirements of ACA benefit.

CALIFORNIA: resources committees of both houses were wading through the many bills that will have different effects on government finance accounts meeting certain dollar thresholds are sent to "uncertainty" of filing for consideration in subsequent debates Most laws that Aetna .. and other allies against was sent to the "uncertainty" filing, including the law on rate regulation, and all accounts of the term is used because the fiscal impact of every law and potential conflicts with federal guidance on the essential advantages. These records may be revived at a later date, or May they be held by the committee. We expect that most of the bills to be voted out of suspense file until the end of the month, including i.

Rate regulation - The funds, there would be no annual fee, support a special fund the cost of at least $ 30 million for the DMHC and CDI.
Rate regulation - The funds, there would be no annual fee, support a special fund the cost of at least $ 30 million for the DMHC and CDI.
Autism mandate - According to a study committee, this law will result in annual costs for the following state entities:
CalPERS: $ 9,000,000
Medi-Cal, for enrollees in managed care plans: $ 114 million
MRMIB plans (healthy families, AIM, MRMIP): $ 37,000,000

The state budget news, the governor will release his May revision of the state budget next week, taking into account the new revenue figures showing the condition of having more than 2 billion U.S. dollars in unexpected new tax dolara.Guverner still believes that it is asking voters to extend higher tax rates will expire this summer is the right thing to do, because higher revenue forecasts would not close the entire budget deficit. Republicans, but they are quick to claim that higher revenue forecasts mean that the extension of tax rates is not needed at this time.



Delaware: Department of Insurance (DOI) filed a medical loss ratio (MLR) HHS waiver application for individual health insurance tržištu.DOI requested adjustment proposed three years phase-in of the MLR as follows: 65 percent for 2011, 70 percent for 2012, and 75 percent of 2013.

Georgia:. The Governor signed into law the work that is required to pay applicable State standards for self-funded plans Aetna will work with self-funded customers who have questions about the validity of the new law and its application to your plan, which is usually covered by ERISA.