Federal Exchange Details Beginning to Emerge

Bottled up by the Obama administration for months before the election, details about how the federal government will operate insurance exchanges in states that don't establish their own are beginning to emerge—to the great relief of the insurance industry. Read more »

Consumers in Individual Insurance Market Benefit from MLR Requirement

Insurers in the individual market reduced their overhead expenses by $560 million in 2011, which was more than those in the small- and large-group sectors. Those plans that did not meet the health care overhaul's medical loss ratio (MLR) paid customers about $394 million in rebates, according to a report by The Commonwealth Fund. Read more »

Details Emerging on Possible Physician Payment Patches

Health care stakeholders are urging Congress to prevent scheduled cuts in payments to Medicare physicians, as details on another annual patch are getting caught up in the deficit-reduction negotiations. Read more »

Groups Forming Consortium of Plans That Cover Dually Eligible Beneficiaries

States that are testing out ways to shift dually eligible patients into managed care could get some guidance from a new consortium of health plans being put together by the Visiting Nurse Service of New York with support from The Commonwealth Fund. Read more »

Senator Says Savings Should Come from Health Care Delivery, Not Benefit Levels

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse called on the president to set a health care savings target that can be achieved by changing the delivery system, not by reducing Medicare benefits.  Read more »

Baucus, Durbin Say There's Room to Restructure Medicare Premiums

Top Senate Democrats recently signaled a willingness to charge wealthier Medicare beneficiaries higher premiums as part of a deficit-reduction deal that would find savings from entitlement programs. Read more »