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2 Min Read

Physicians outline 6 key provisions for network adequacy

Physicians, hospitals and other health care providers urged the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in a letter to adopt model legislation that would give patients access to the care and physicians they need. The letter includes six key provisions that would serve as a template for many state policymakers considering revision of their network adequacy standards.

Access to Care
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3 Min Read

New policy calls for adequate networks for patient access, choice

As open enrollment for health insurance exchanges begins, physicians have adopted new policy aimed at addressing inadequate provider networks so patients have access to the care they need and the physicians they rely on.

Access to Care
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2 Min Read

Why health insurance competition matters

In my travels I often hear the concerns and successes physicians and patients across the country face every day. Perhaps one of the most concerning challenges in today’s health care environment is health insurance competition. In 17 states, and in 41 percent of metropolitan areas, a single health insurer had more than one-half of the commercial market. In 45 states, only two health insurers had a combined commercial market share of one-half or more.

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Leadership
Leadership Viewpoints
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3 Min Read

10 top states where health insurers dominate: New study

An annual analysis of commercial health insurance markets revealed the 10 most competitive and 10 least competitive states among health insurers. Find out where your state ranks.

Access to Care
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1 Min Read

HHS awards $3.2 million to support minority health insurance coverage

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Minority Health last week announced $3.2 million in grant awards to 13 organizations for supporting health coverage enrollment of racial and ethnic minorities.

Access to Care
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2 Min Read

4 common misconceptions patients have about their insurance

Now that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is fully in place, many of us are seeing patients for whom navigating the complexities of health care insurance is a brand new challenge.

Access to Care
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2 Min Read

Insurers shell out $1.9 billion in refunds to patients

Health insurance companies that spent too little on medical care last year had to refund more than $330 million to consumers by Aug. 1 in order to be compliant with a little-known provision in the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Access to Care
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1 Min Read

Early retirees struggle with gap in health coverage

Physicians planning to retire early often face a gap in their health insurance coverage. Until they become eligible for Medicare, early retirees frequently choose between expensive individual plans and COBRA continuation plans to eliminate the gaps in their health insurance coverage.

Access to Care
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1 Min Read

AMA's patient grassroots group now 1 million strong

One million patients have joined to take action on legislative issues that could harm the patient-physician relationship and restrict their access to care through the AMA Patients’ Action Network, making a difference in today’s health care landscape.

Access to Care