Displaying items by tag: Michigan Association of Health Plans

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed legislation that is designed to better enable large employers to bid out their employee health coverage.

Michigan now ranks as the second-least competitive market in the nation for health coverage, a status that stems from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s long-held position as the leading insurer in the state.

Supporters are hopeful that a statewide bill to alter the process of doctors seeking prior authorization from insurers for patient care will become law this fall.

A coalition of Michigan business groups is urging state senators to reject legislation that they claim will drive up the cost of health coverage for small employers.

On the surface, the position appears completely counter to what a business organization would typically advocate.

As reports continue to rank Michigan as one of the least competitive markets in the nation, the statewide trade group representing HMOs wants to ensure that insurance carriers are able to pursue business when employers bid out employee health coverage.

Health insurance open enrollment for 2021 starts Nov. 1 with small increases in rates for individual and small employer health care policies.

State lawmakers have given final approval to bipartisan legislation that aims to curtail surprise medical billing in Michigan, sending the bills to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Alegislative effort to curtail surprise medical billing in Michigan has gained attention from national health care organizations shifting their focus to states amid stalled efforts federally.

Bills to curb surprise medical billing in Michigan move forward in Lansing without the backing of physicians, who worry the proposed changes in state law would put them at a disadvantage when negotiating future reimbursement contracts with health insurance carriers.

GRAND RAPIDS — Citing lower medical claims and utilization rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, Priority Health plans to provide temporary rate reductions to employers and individual policyholders.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today formed a task force that will look at how to lower the cost of prescription drugs in Michigan.

Core elements of the federal Affordable Care Act could become state law if legislators in Lansing enact proposals backed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Believing the pendulum has swung too far and often results in delays for patient care, physicians want state legislators to curtail the ability of health insurers to require prior authorization to cover a medical test, procedure or medication.

Legislation coming up for consideration in Lansing aims to alleviate so-called “surprise billing” in health care.

Health care goes into 2019 facing many of the same issues and trends that have been driving industry change in recent years: the movement to value-based contracting, more use of telemedicine, growing concerns about cybersecurity, and greater price and cost transparency for consumers.

Health insurance premiums for many small employers would dip in 2019 under rate proposals filed with state regulators.

Health coverage from Blue Cross Shield of Michigan maintains a dominant hold in most markets across the state with the exception of Priority Health’s home base.

Dominick Pallone considers it a hopeful sign that the debate over health care in America seems to be moving beyond political rhetoric and ideology.

Federal lawmakers need to focus on what’s driving health care costs in America that in turn contributes to the rising cost of health coverage.

Now that the Affordable Care Act will remain the law of the land, Dominick Pallone would like to see Congress and President Trump work to improve the federal health reform law.

No matter whether you love or hate the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, what’s become clear is that 2017 will bring major changes to the federal health care reform law.

GRAND RAPIDS — Grand Valley Health Corp.’s decision to get out of the HMO business follows continued losses and years of dwindling membership, combined with pressures brought on by the federal Affordable Care Act.

An analysis of 2015 financial information shows the state’s expansion of Medicaid under Obamacare drove strong profits for one sector of the Michigan economy: health management organizations (HMOs). 

Medicaid and funding issues dominate the health care agenda in 2016 for advocacy groups in Lansing.