Exchanges: Operational issues and state activities

AHIP describes health insurance exchanges as "one of the most pressing healthcare reform implementation issues" and the topic is, therefore, peppered throughout Institute 2011 sessions and is highlighted in a special one-day, pre-conference program.

Held on Wednesday, the day before the AHIP Institute begins, the exchange mini-conference primarily focuses on key operational issues for health plans and the exchange-related goings on throughout the states. Kicking off the general session portion of the program, Candy Gallaher, AHIP's vice president of state policy, will examine the current status of states' exchange implementation and common exchange features found across the country. She'll also analyze policy and operational issues that still need to be resolved and next steps payers should take as we all move forward.

Next up is an analysis of how some states are partnering with health plans and other key stakeholders in establishing exchanges. Using lessons learned surrounding the Massachusetts exchange, its chief operating officer will discuss opportunities and challenges in developing and deploying MassConnector.

Folks from Deloitte Consulting will call attention to the top operational exchange-related challenges for health plans, including enrollment, premium collection, and customer service, as well as discuss strategies to address these challenges.

You can also learn how to minimize administrative costs while preparing your organization's exchange infrastructure. Speakers from Connecture will discuss technical strategies to best prepare your health plan's operational and technical infrastructure to integrate into your state exchange.

If you're worried about competing, and ultimately succeeding, within health insurance exchanges, be sure to check out the final program of the exchange mini-conference. Here, you can learn about core technology components needed to build a successful exchange and hear about one health plan's experience with online distribution and thoughts for the future. This session will also address various technology strategies to help eliminate duplication within your organization and reduce costs.

Can't make it to San Francisco by Tuesday? You can check out one of the exchange-related sessions throughout the full conference. Friday morning, for example, you can learn how to tackle the role of exchanges, including key findings from interviews conducted with major health plan executives.

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