If there’s an idea that might reduce health care costs, there’s a good chance Colorado’s trying it out.that included passing a partial public option; extending the reinsurance program; launching a statewide purchasing alliance; importing prescription drugs; launching a drug affordability board; and increasing transparency in hospital and prescription drug prices.
“America does health care poorly,” he said. “We want good ideas from the left, the right, the middle.”Unlike a full public option for health coverage, Colorado Option plans are run by insurance companies. The difference from other plans is that they’re standardized, meaning that all option plans have similar out-of-pocket costs; they offer more services without co-pays or other direct costs; and they’re required to reduce premiums by 15% over the next three years, adjusted for inflation.
Also, it can be worthwhile to offer patients a health insurance option with fewer out-of-pocket costs and more incentives for primary care, he said. Customers don’t have to pay for visits to their primary care or mental health provider, or for diabetes testing supplies.Reinsurance is one of the bigger success stories in efforts to bring costs down, even if people don’t often think about it, Fox said.
are trying to steer employees toward hospitals that get better results at lower prices. It’s too early to tell if the incentives the state is offering to employees who pick higher-value providers using its decision tool will result in a notable savings, though. FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf said in an interview that he couldn’t comment on specific states’ proposals, but that the quality of the plan a state puts forth will be an important factor in determining how quickly it can move forward.
How effective the board is will depend on how aggressively it sets its maximum prices; how many people take the drugs it is regulating; and whether there are any unintended consequences, such as drugmakers refusing to sell in Colorado.or sending them to collections over unpaid medical bills. The state doesn’t enforce the law, however; patients who believe a hospital pursued aggressive tactics improperly have to sue to get their debt forgiven and collect damages.