Consumers

Health plans focused on communicating more effectively with their members got good news from the J.D. Power 2015 Member Health Plan Study, which showed a 17 point bump in satisfaction in the areas of information and communication.

Making sure its members get the right care at the right place and at the right time drove Independence Blue Cross to launch a two-year pilot program last fall with consumer engagement firm Accolade.

Spurred on by the Affordable Care Act, retailers, health plans and providers are staking strong retail positions that are increasing coverage opportunities and access to care.

The confluence of two factors is making it increasingly seductive for stakeholders to consider entering the MA market, but all is not idyllic.

Public and private insurers are seizing the opportunity to devise programs that promote preventive care and positive behaviors.

The percentage of employers and plans offering wellness incentives is steadily rising, and program designs are becoming more diverse.

While one study finds up to 80% of mid-sized employers are increasing the employee share of health insurance deductibles and co-pays, another finds the amount of employee contributions has declined in the past few years.

Arkansas and Iowa, two GOP-led states, have received approval for customized options for Medicaid expansion that include cost-sharing provisions for beneficiaries.

2014 was a good year for health insurers, but there are issues in 2015 that could dramatically disrupt the industry’s recent smooth ride.

Today, rating systems are driving consumer decisions in virtually every U.S. industry. A single “gold standard” for customer ratings has yet to emerge in healthcare, and providers and payers are focusing more than ever before on the customer experience – how patients evaluate everyday interactions with their care and service providers.

Cigna/Safeway study finds that patients make cost-conscious choices when provided with education and online shopping tools

Almost 2.5 million consumers signed up for health insurance through December 15 as part of open enrollment, and 48% were new consumers.

Including more nurse practitioners in a greater number of health plans can improve the experiences of patients as well as the bottom line.

Now that the ACA has eliminated pre-existing conditions, payers have taken on many unknowns when evaluating the massive population of new members coming in from the state and federal exchanges.

Of all the information technology available to hospitals and practices, the patient portal can be especially challenging.

The industry turns to telehealth to lower costs and improve quality.

The U.S. Supreme Court, in a decision expected by July of 2015, will hear arguments on the legality of the federal tax subsidies available to low and moderate income consumers that are a key component of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Providing first-call resolution through a healthcare plan's call center is critical to customer satisfaction.

Americans in 2013 spent a little more on medical services from the prior year, but utilized them less, according to a new report by the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI).

States with all-payer claims databases and user-friendly websites earned Bs and Cs

Consumer experience is a critical area of investment, with health plans increasing data analytics and virtual customer service

Employers want defined contribution

Just like most of the Affordable Care Act implementation, the enrollment deadline is causing plenty of consumer confusion

National insurers won't be able to compete on price

Enrollments rolling in despite consumers' lack of knowledge, technical glitches and high-traffic volumes.

Hardship exemptions aren't clear enough for consumers to take a chance on special enrollment period

AHIP's Karen Ignagni wants to see a new tier in the exchanges to drive consumers into the risk pool

Their care experience isn’t at the level it should be

Sebelius says more Latino outreach is needed, meanwhile commercial enrollees are popping up more often

While 4.2 million have signed up for private plans, quite a few of them also have a sense of humor