A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that 88 percent of physicians accepted new privately insured patients in 2008, down from 93 percent in 2005.  The authors cited low reimbursement rates and significant administrative burdens as possible reasons for the decline.  The study also notes that rate of acceptance declined less for Medicare beneficiaries, dropping from 96 to 93 percent between 2005 and 2008.

Bishop, Tara F. et. al. (2011). Declines in physician acceptance of Medicare and private Coverage. Archives of Internal Medicine, 171 (12): 1117 - 1119. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2011.251. http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/171/12/1117

Authors: Tara F. Bishop, Alex D. Federman and Salomeh Keyhani.

On June 23, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) released a brief examining health coverage challenges facing unemployed individuals and outlining their options for maintaining coverage.  The brief notes that 13.9 million individuals were unemployed in May 2011, of whom 6.2 million had been uninsured for at least six months.  The authors suggest that individuals’ options to maintain health coverage diminish as they remain unemployed for six months or more, highlighting COBRA, public health coverage, and the individual insurance market as options for unemployed individuals to obtain health coverage.  The authors assert that implementation of the national health care reform law will result in a wider range of affordable coverage options for the unemployed.

From the report:

The Archives of Internal Medicine (AIM) has published a study examining trends in physicians’ acceptance rates for different types of health coverage and self-pay patients.  Employing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS), the authors highlight the need for policymakers to understand health coverage acceptance data to address health care access issues.  The study notes that this is particularly salient in light of the current primary care physician shortage and the upcoming health coverage expansion under the national health care reform law.

Bishop, Tara F. et al. Declines in Physician Acceptance of Medicare and Private Coverage. (2011). Archives of Internal Medicine, 171 (12): 1117-1119. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2011.251. http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/extract/171/12/1117

Authors: Tara F. Bishop, Alex D. Federman, and Salomeh Keyhani.

On August 3, the National Health Council (NHC) released an actuarial analysis estimating cost sharing requirements under the national health care reform law’s essential benefits package.  Currently under development by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO), the essential benefits package will outline the basic coverage package that insurers must offer in the law’s health exchanges.  Employing a model based on the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Standard Option plan offered through the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHBP), the analysis suggests that even beneficiaries qualifying for subsidized coverage may have difficulty affording coverage if they have a chronic condition.  The report encourages HHS officials to ensure that the package offers a continuum of patient protections that grant beneficiaries access to affordable, quality health coverage.

From the report:

The Commonwealth Fund has published a progress report examining state action to implement health insurance exchanges, as required by the national health care reform law.  The report outlines the law's requirements and briefly explains proposed rules governing the exchanges.  The authors also provide a state-by-state breakdown of action to establish exchanges.

From the report: 

Today, the Department of Health and Human Services released its new proposed regulation providing states guidance on establishing new insurance exchanges. The Affordable Care Act requires each state to establish by 2014 a health insurance exchange where individuals and small businesses can purchase affordable health insurance plans. The exchanges are the centerpiece of the reform law: they will be the main portals for people without employer-sponsored or public insurance to both find a health plan and learn about and apply for any federal subsidies for which they are eligible.  Up to 30 million people are expected to enroll in health plans through their state exchange by 2020, either on their own or through their employers. And to the extent that eligibility and enrollment in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program are also determined through the exchange, the number of people coming to the exchanges for information about coverage could rise to more than 80 million. 

Full report: State Health Insurance Exchange Legislation: A Progress Report

Commonwealth Fund.  (2011).  State health insurance exchange legislation: a progress report.  Collins, S. and Garber, T.

Long Term Care and Dual Eligibles: Overview and Managed Care Opportunities The Kaiser Family Foundation has released a brief examining health coverage challenges facing unemployed individuals and outlining their options for maintaining coverage.  The brief notes that 13.9 million individuals were unemployed in May 2011, of whom 6.2 million had been uninsured for at least six months.  The authors suggest that individuals’ options to maintain health coverage diminish as they remain unemployed for six months or more, highlighting COBRA, public health coverage, and the individual insurance market as options for unemployed individuals to obtain health coverage.  The authors assert that implementation of the national health care reform law will result in a wider range of affordable coverage options for the unemployed.

From the report:

Long Term Care and Dual Eligibles: Overview and Managed Care Opportunities

In May 2011, 13.9 million people in the U.S. were unemployed, and 6.2 million of these workers had been unemployed for six months or more.  The weak job market jeopardizes health coverage for the 57% of the nonelderly population in the U.S. that receive health insurance through an employer.  When individuals with employer-sponsored coverage become unemployed, they face the loss of both income and health insurance. Moreover, any of the employee's dependents that are covered through the employer could also lose coverage. The long-term unemployed are particularly vulnerable to loss of coverage as they face extended periods of reduced or no income.

Full report:  Health Coverage for the Unemployed (PDF | 564.50 KB)

Kaiser Family Foundation.  (2011).  Health coverage for the unemployed.  Schwartz, K. and Streeter, S.