In The Media Archive

Medicaid recipients are the most satisfied with insurance coverage; individually insured least satisfied, says Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation

A report released today by the Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation (CHRT) shows that Medicaid recipients in Michigan were the most satisfied with their health care coverage in 2012, while those with individual coverage were the least satisfied. This finding gives some insight into to how consumers may react when new qualified health insurance products under the Affordable Care Act go into effect in 2014.

The survey, conducted in partnership with the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University, asked 1,018 Michigan adults to rate their satisfaction and experience with their health insurance, based on whether they had Medicaid, Medicare, employer-sponsored or individually- purchased coverage.Continue Reading Medicaid recipients are the most satisfied with insurance coverage; individually insured least satisfied, says Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation

Study: Only 4 percent of small businesses in Michigan affected by Obamacare provision

Crain’s Detroit Business reports on CHRT’s brief about the Affordable Care Act and its effects on small employers, citing that only 4 percent of Michigan’s 154,488 small businesses with fewer than 100 employees are expected to be impacted by the health insurance mandate contained in the ACA.

Less than 10 percent of Michigan’s small businesses impacted by Affordable Care Act’s health coverage mandate

The Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation (CHRT) today released a brief showing that more than 90 percent of Michigan’s small businesses are exempt from the health insurance mandates that become effective January 1, 2014. The brief also outlines the decision areas that all small employers should consider when determining how to participate in health coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

CHRT’s brief, The Affordable Care Act and Its Effects on Small Employers, shows that 96 percent of Michigan’s 154,488 private-sector small businesses have fewer than 50 employees, exempting them from penalties if they opt to not offer health coverage. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires employers with 50 or more full-time-equivalent employees to offer health coverage or pay a penalty.Continue Reading Less than 10 percent of Michigan’s small businesses impacted by Affordable Care Act’s health coverage mandate

$6.4B Henry Ford, Beaumont Merger Failed on Cultural Hurdles

CHRT Director Marianne Udow-Phillips explains why she wasn’t surprised to hear that merger talks between Henry Ford and Beaumont health systems deteriorated.

Henry Ford, Beaumont $6.6-billion mega merger is called off

Following the annoucement that the $6.6-billion mega merger between Henry Ford and Beaumont health systems is now off, CHRT Director Marianne Udow-Phillips offers her perspective on contributing factors to the failed merger.

U-M Health System has some of the highest charges in the state, but patients rarely face them

Hospital charge data released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on average figures from Medicare patient data are not useful or relevant for most consumers, says CHRT Director Marianne Udow-Phillips.

Oregon Medicaid study shows value of investment in mental health

CHRT Director Marianne Udow-Phillips wonders why there is still a distinction made between “physical health” and “mental health”after media headlines proclaim Medicaid had “no significant effect” on Oregon enrollees, despite data showing a significant reduction in depression compared to an uninsured control group.

New insurance cooperative to join health exchange; targets small biz

East Lansing-based Consumers Mutual Insurance of Michigan will apply to sell policies on the new health insurance exchange starting Oct. 1, but CHRT Director Marianne Udow-Phillips says they will face tough competition.

Blue Cross and Trinity Health sign contract aimed at cost-efficient health care

CHRT Director Marianne Udow-Phillips puts Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s new reimbursement contract with Trinity Health’s 12 Michigan hospitals in context, explaining that “this is still a fee-for-service payment, but it adds incentives for quality.”

Michigan’s STD belt: It’s not what you think

A new Robert Wood Johnson Foundation study shows higher rates of a sexually transmitted disease in a line of Michigan counties stretching along Interstate 94, but CHRT Director Marianne Udow-Phillips cautions against prematurely jumping to conclusions. “This is a reporting issue,” Udow-Phillips said. “This is where teens are going for care, not necessarily where they are having sex.”

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