Report Aims To Guide States on Using IT in Insurance Exchanges
The University of Massachusetts Medical School and the National Academy of Social Insurance have released a report to guide states on the use of technology to support health insurance exchanges, Health Data Management reports (Goedert, Health Data Management, 9/19).
Under the federal health reform law, states by January 2014 must create state-based health insurance exchanges to provide coverage options for individuals and small businesses.
Report Details
The report was based on interviews with policymakers and technology leaders. It examines lessons learned from states that already have started using technology to support their exchanges (NASI release, 9/18).
The report recommends that states:
- Establish a common vision, strategy and information technology development plan to meet fast-approaching reform deadlines;
- Carefully assess their internal and external IT resources;
- Integrate policies and technologies between their health insurance exchange and their Medicaid program;
- Use federal resources, participate in multi-state initiatives and reuse technologies developed by other states and federal agencies; and
- Continue developing the IT infrastructure for their health insurance exchange despite political uncertainties (Health Data Management, 9/19).