Insurers, researchers, and consumers are struggling with the price transparency files required under the No Surprises Act. This post reviews how a public network ID could make these files smaller and more accurate. We’ve previously written about the many benefits of a public identifier for networks (here, and here). Background Under the No SurprisesContinue reading “How a Consumer Network ID can make price transparency files smaller and more accurate”
Tag Archives: Publications
Getting to No: Provider Directories are Missing a Key Use Case
While the subject of provider directory accuracy has received a great deal of attention, much less has been written about the user experience (UX) of provider directories. As students of UX know, good design starts from a deep and empathetic understanding of the user’s goals and mindset; in the design process these are captured throughContinue reading “Getting to No: Provider Directories are Missing a Key Use Case”
Planning on Retiring in 2022? How to Keep FEHB Coverage in Retirement
If retiring from federal service is on your agenda for 2022, make sure you’re qualified to receive FEHB health coverage once you leave because it far outweighs any other available options. We’ll discuss the five-year rule that you must satisfy for FEHB coverage in retirement, provide advice for federal employees who are covered by non-FEHBContinue reading “Planning on Retiring in 2022? How to Keep FEHB Coverage in Retirement”
Why a Health Savings Account is a Secret Weapon in Saving for Retirement
Finding the right health plan is always tricky. Costs and benefits can change from year to year and needs are often unpredictable. But in 2022, there’s one change to health coverage, including the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, that could have a positive impact on almost every beneficiary. Last year, Congress passed the No SurprisesContinue reading “Why a Health Savings Account is a Secret Weapon in Saving for Retirement”
Consider Joining High-Deductible Health Plans this FEHB Open Season
For most federal employees, a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) or consumer-driven health plan (CDHP) will be one of the least expensive plans to join next year. Both offer enrollees pre-funded savings accounts to pay for out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and free preventive care, and most of them have lower premiums than other FEHB plans. However, HDHPsContinue reading “Consider Joining High-Deductible Health Plans this FEHB Open Season”
How to Save Money this 2022 FEHB Open Season
Most federal employees will not switch their health plan this Open Season. In fact, only an average of 5% will make a change during any Open Season. We know from Office of Personnel Management (OPM) data on plan enrollments and from counseling thousands of federal employees over the years that many stay in expensive plansContinue reading “How to Save Money this 2022 FEHB Open Season”
How to Find the Best Health Plan During Open Season
Finding the right health plan is always tricky. Costs and benefits can change from year to year and needs are often unpredictable. But in 2022, there’s one change to health coverage, including the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, that could have a positive impact on almost every beneficiary. Last year, Congress passed the No SurprisesContinue reading “How to Find the Best Health Plan During Open Season”
Consumer Network ID – A Proposal for Helping Consumers Understand Coverage of Doctors They Care About
Consumers’ ability to make use of their health insurance depends heavily on their ability to see in-network doctors, as health plans generally offer limited or no coverage of care from providers outside their networks. However, for a consumer to determine whether a particular doctor is in their plan’s network they must get through a processContinue reading “Consumer Network ID – A Proposal for Helping Consumers Understand Coverage of Doctors They Care About”
New Consumer Testing Shows Limited Consumer Understanding of Short-Term
Plans and Need for Continued State and NAIC Action
Read the full report
The Roles Of Assisters And Automated Decision Support Tools In Consumers’ Marketplace Choices: Room For Improvement
Assisters provide in-person and phone-based support to help consumers narrow their plan options on the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance Marketplaces. We elicited the perspectives of a national sample of thirty-two assisters from ten states on consumer plan selection and available Marketplace decision support tools (for example, total cost estimators and provider network look-up tools).Continue reading “The Roles Of Assisters And Automated Decision Support Tools In Consumers’ Marketplace Choices: Room For Improvement”
