Staffing/Resources
States will need sufficient, properly allocated staff and other resources to implement the ACA. Identifying the needs is the first step to meeting them and doing so as part of a coordinated approach will enable states to better leverage existing resources.
*Milestone details:
*Full name: Identify state staffing and other resources necessary for carrying out the implementation work plan.
*Relevance to the ACA:
The ACA creates new roles for states. Fulfilling those roles will require a redistribution or increase of resources, including staff. While the law does not require states to identify needed resources, completing this step will help states maximize efficiency in implementation. The ACA may also offer opportunities to leverage federal resources for state implementation activities. Examples of federal funding a state might leverage include:
§1002 – Grants to support offices of health insurance consumer assistance or health insurance ombudsman programs.
§1003 – Grants to support states’ new rate review responsibilities.
§1311 – Requires states to establish insurance Exchanges and provides planning and establishment grants for these activities.
§2001 – Extends Medicaid eligibility to all persons below 133 percent of the federal poverty level and increases FMAP for these newly eligible Medicaid beneficiaries.
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Pennsylvania
INS Regulatory Insurance Services, Inc. is seeking opportunities to assist states in meeting their ACA and Exchange development objectives. We have been assisting regulators exclusively for over 25 years in the areas of financial, IT and actuarial evaluations. I am seeking assistance in the identification of those areas where regulators will most require outside assistance. I would welcome your input and the opportunity to discuss.
Vermont
The Green Mountain Care Board put together a 2013 budget request detailing the workforce needs and allocation of funding needed for fiscal year 2013 to effectively implement the ACA.
Maryland
Looking for information on deveplment of training and certification requirements for exchange plan enrollment .
Would like to see AHIP.org develope and implement a certification program for insurance agents.
Maryland
As career health insurance agents, we feel we could serve a productive role helping both employers as well as individuals understand as well as evaluate one's eligibility for those considering enrollment into the exchange.
We have discussed, among agents, that there are distinct roles between a "Navigator" and the role of an agent who could become licensed or "registered" to offer plans within the exchanges.
An agent could become a navigator if they wanted to give up offering insurance. Yet, a navigator cannot act as an agent at the same time. We do believe that allowing agents to become "certified to offer" plans within the exchange should be a necessary component to reform.
Many agents who work with employer groups will be asked what do the exchange plans mean to us and how do we conform to H/C reform as an employer? What effects will this have on our group and what do I tell an employee who wants to know if an exchange is right for them?
As agents, we have learned to adapt to market changes over the years. We have a history of understanding complex insurance matters. We know how to work with people and convey complex policies into easy to understand terms.
As agents, we envision insurance reform organisations to develop a protocol that agents could follow to sell within the exchanges.We would work much like an agent who wants to offer Medicare Advantage plans for government entitled Medicare beneficiaries.
We have strict enrollment guidelines we must follow to protect the needs of seniors. Why can't we work with the same model that CMS and Dept of H&H Services has already approved? Agents would serve as a labor force to enroll new members on a flat fee per enrollment. This could be paid for with grant monies given to states to enroll new members.
Arizona
State of Arizona RFP released
California
This was completed in our initial planning grant study, and this information is available in our report uploaded under the documents section.
Connecticut
Health Care Cabinet Organizational Chart of Cabinet Membership:
Maine
Tennessee has developed a draft organizational chart entitled "Allocation of Exchange Functions Across State Agencies." The document shows a proposed division of responsibilities, as well as potential staffing models. Please find the document attached.
District of Columbia
Here's a state "To Do" list for obtaining federal grants to help in planning for exchanges.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts has applied for and received many federal grants that support the current implementation work being done by state agencies and our partners. These grants support the work being done by the cross-agency working group, cooordinated by the Massachusetts HHS Secretary, JudyAnn Bigby M.D.
These include: §1003, premium rate review
§1311, state planning and establishment grants for exchanges
§1002, consumer assistance program
§1311, early innovators grant
Read more about the grants and demonstration opportunities that the Commonwealth has been awarded at:
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2modulechunk&L=5&L0=Home&L1=Government&...
District of Columbia
This presentation provides an overview of the implementation planning process in WA and the roles of cabinets and agencies in the process.
Access the presentation here:
http://www.statereforum.org/sites/default/files/wahealth_care_reform_pre...
District of Columbia
This planning document outlines in detail the health reform provisions related to low-income populations/programs, including the effective date for the provision, and identifies the lead sponsor and lead manager for each provision within MPA.
Access the document here:
http://www.statereforum.org/sites/default/files/nhrmpaprojectplanning929...
District of Columbia
This Powerpoint details how the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe is preparing for reform and includes documents from a February 1, 2012 Ready for Reform Workshop attended by 85 Tribal,
Federal and State staff.
District of Columbia
This report outlines the major decisions facing New Mexico as the state works to implement the many provisions of the ACA.
Access the report here:
http://www.statereforum.org/sites/default/files/nm_federal_hcr_strategic...