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ENSURING CONSUMERS' ACCESS TO CARE
Christine Barber, Community Catalyst Brendan Bridgeland, Center for Insurance Research Bonnie Burns, California Health Advocates Sabrina Corlette, Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, Center on Health Insurance Reforms Kathleen Gmeiner, UHCAN Ohio Marguerite Herman, Consumer Advocates: Project Healthcare Timothy Soltzfus Jost, Washington and Lee University, Virginia Organizing Debra Judy, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative Peter Kochenburger, University of Connecticut School of Law Adam Linker, North Carolina Justice Center Sarah Lueck, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Stephanie Mohl, American Heart Association Lincoln Nehrig, Voices for Utah Children Jesse Ellis O’Brien, Oregon State Public Interest Research Group Lynn Quincy, Consumers Union Stuart Spielman, Autism Speaks Cindy Zeldin, Georgians for a Healthy Future This project was generously supported through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Contributors: ENSURING CONSUMERS’ ACCESS TO CARE: Network Adequacy State Insurance Survey Findings and Recommendations for Regulatory Reforms in a Changing Insurance Market November 2014 | Health Management Associates
Christine Barber Senior Policy Analyst Community Catalyst 30 Winter Street 10th Floor Boston, MA 02108 Office: 617-275-2914 Fax: 617-451-5838 cbarber@communitycatalyst.org Brendan M. Bridgeland Director Center for Insurance Research 2298 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02140 Office: 781-405-4809 insuranceresearch@comcast.net Bonnie Burns Training and Policy Specialist California Health Advocates 53080 Elvas Avenue Sacramento, CA 95819 Office: 916-231-5110 bburns@cahealthadvocates.org Sabrina Corlette Senior Research Fellow Georgetown University Health Policy Institute 3300 Whitehaven Street, N.W.
Suite 5000 Washington, DC 20057 Office: 202-687-0880 Fax: 202-784-1265 sc732@georgetown.edu Kathleen Gmeiner Project Director UHCAN Ohio 370 S. Fifth Street Columbus, OH 43215 Office: 614-456-0060 x223 Fax: 614-456-0059 kgmeiner@uhcanohio.org Marguerite Herman ConsumerAdvocates:ProjectHealthcare 515 E. 18th Street Cheyenne, WY 82001 Office: 307-638-1468 Marguerite.herman@gmail.com Timothy Stoltzfus Jost Professor Washington and Lee University School of Law Lewis Hall, East Denny Circle Lexington, VA 22802 Office: 540-458-8510 Fax: 540-458-8488 jostt@wlu.edu Debra Judy Policy Director Colorado Consumer Health Initiative 1580 Logan St, Suite 340 Denver, CO 80203 Office: 303-839-1261 djudy@cohealthinitiative.org Peter Kochenburger Executive Director and Associate Clinical Professor of Law Insurance Law Center University of Connecticut School of Law 65 Elizabeth Street Hartford, CT 06105 Office: 860-570-5177 peter.kochenburger@uconn.edu Adam Linker Health Policy Analyst North Carolina Justice Center 224 South Dawson Street Raleigh, NC Office: 919-861-2074 Adam.linker@ncjustice.org Sarah Lueck Senior Policy Analyst Center on Budget and Policy Priorities 820 First Street NE, Suite 510 Washington, DC 20003 Office: 202-408-1080 Fax: 202-408-1056 lueck@cbpp.org Stephanie Mohl Senior Government Relations Advisor American Heart Association 1150 Connecticut Ave.
NW #300 Washington, DC 20036 Office: 202-785-7909 Fax: 202-785-7950 Stephanie.mohl@heart.org Lincoln Nehring Senior Health Policy Analyst Voices for Utah Children 747 E. South Temple, Suite 100 Salt Lake City, UT 84108 Office: 801-364-1182 Fax: 801-364-1186 Lincoln@utahchildren.org Jesse Ellis O’Brien Health Care Advocate Oregon State Public Interest Research Group 1536 SE 11th Ave, Ste. A Portland, OR 97214 Office: 503-231-4181 x307 jesseo@ospirg.org Lynn Quincy Senior Policy Analyst Consumers Union 1101 17th Street NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20036 Office: 202-462-6262 Fax: 202-265-9548 quinly@consumer.org Stuart Spielman Senior Policy Advisor and Counsel Autism Speaks 1990 K Street NW Washington, DC 20006 Office: 202-955-3312 Fax: 202-955-3115 sspielman@autismspeaks.org Cindy Zeldin Executive Director Georgians for a Healthy Future 100 Edgewood Ave.
NE Suite 815 Atlanta, GA 30303 Office: 404-418-6179 Fax: 404-935-9885 czeldin@healthyfuturega.org Contributors
Preface and Acknowledgments 1 Executive Summary 2 Survey Results 3 Recommended Changes to Managed Care Plan Network Adequacy Model Act 3 Network Adequacy and Financial Implications for Consumers 5 Impact on Consumers of Inadequate Network Adequacy Regulatory Oversight 6 Treatment by an Out-of-Network Provider During a Pre-Approved In-Network Hospital Admission 6 Balance Billing in an Emergency 6 No Access to a Particular Type of Provider (e.g., Pediatric Orthopedist, Neonatologist) 6 Unreasonable Delays in Access to Care Due to an Insufficient Network 7 No Access to a Particular Treatment Due to Lack of Providers Who Offer It 7 Current Federal Regulatory Structure 9 ACA Requirements Related to Network Adequacy 9 U.S.
Health and Human Services Regulations Related to Network Adequacy 10 HHS Regulatory Impact Analysis of Final Exchange Rule 10 Final Rule Requirements Related to Network Adequacy 11 Establishment of Exchange Network Adequacy Standards (45 CFR §155.1050) 11 Network Adequacy Standards (45 CFR §156.230) 11 Essential Community Providers (45 CFR §156.235) 12 Accreditation Requirements (45 CFR §156.275) and Accreditation Timeline (45 CFR §155.1045) 12 State vs. Federal Regulatory Authority over Network Adequacy 14 NAIC Managed Care Plan Network Adequacy Model Act 16 Network Adequacy Standards 16 Health Carrier and Participating Provider Requirements 17 Requirements for Intermediary Arrangements 18 State Filing and Contracting Requirements 18 Enforcement 18 Survey of State Regulators’ Network Adequacy Oversight Activities and Regulations 19 Survey Part One: General Approaches to Regulating Network Adequacy 19 Use of NAIC Model Act 19 Use of Network Adequacy Complaint Codes 20 Biggest Challenges Faced in Oversight of Network Adequacy 21 Role of State Regulators in Ensuring Consumers are Informed about the Impact of Seeing Out-of-Network Providers 22 Transparency Requirements to Protect Consumers When Facility-Based Physicians Providing Care in an In-Network Hospital are Out-of-Network 22 Reporting Requirements for Network Adequacy Oversight 23 Survey Part Two: Operational Processes Related to Regulatory Oversight of Network Adequacy 23 Health Plan Network Review 23 GEO-Access Maps 24 Use of Vendors in the Review and Analysis of Provider Network File Submissions.
24 Initial Provider Network Review 24 Ongoing Network Adequacy Oversight 25 Protecting Consumers from Out-of-Network Charges 26 Provider Directory Oversight 26 Network Adequacy Enforcement Actions 27 Network Adequacy Requirements for POS and/or EPO Plans 27 Table of Contents
Survey Highlights and Recommendations for Improving Network Adequacy Oversight 28 Recommendations 29 Expand Scope of Regulations to Include All Network Plans 29 Quantify Reasonable Access Standards 29 Ensure Consumer Choice between Broad, Narrow, or Ultra-Narrow Networks 29 Include Essential Community Providers 30 Expand Access Plan Filing Requirements to Improve Transparency 30 Protect Consumers from Balance Billing 30 Work with Other Agencies to Address Balance Billing 30 Require Providers to Notify Health Plans when Leaving a Network for Any Reason 30 Ensure Continuity of Care 31 Increase Transparency Requirements 31 Adopt Health Plan Reporting Requirements to Monitor Frequency of Out-of-Network Services 31 Increase Utility of Complaint Data and Visibility of Complaint Process 32 Monitor Reliance on Health Plan Accreditation as a Substitute for Confirming Compliance with Network Adequacy Standards 32 Recommendations for Amending the NAIC Managed Care Plan Network Adequacy Model Act 32 AppendixA:InsuranceDepartmentSurveyofNetworkAdequacyRegulatoryRequirementsa ndOversight 33 Appendix B: Proposed Modifications to the NAIC Managed Care Plan Network Adequacy Model Act 38 Appendix C: Definition of Terms 50 Notes 51 Table 1: State Adoption of NAIC Model Act 20 Table 2: DOI Use of Network Adequacy Complaint Tracking Codes 20 Table 3: Network Adequacy Regulatory Challenges 21 Table 4: Transparency Requirements regarding services of out-of-network providers 22 Table 5: Importance of Health Plan Data Reporting Requirements 23 Table 6: Circumstances Requiring Health Plan Network Reviews 24 Table 7: Health Plan Geo-Access Mapping Requirements 24 Table 8: Data Reviewed During Initial Network Adequacy Review 25 Table 9: Information Used by Regulators To Monitor Ongoing Network Adequacy 25 Table 10: State Regulation of Out-of-Network Charges 26 Table 11: Network Directory Requirements 27 Table 12: Average Number of Enforcement Actions Taken in Response 27 Table 13: How States Regulate POS and EPO Plans 28 Table of Contents (continued) List of Tables
Ensuring Consumers’ Access to Care 1 The Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes many reforms intended to make health care more affordable and accessible to consumers. Of note here, the ACA standardizes the list of covered benefits, sets a floor for the amount of financial coverage, and establishes a maximum limit for enrollees’ annual out-of-pocket expenses. These reforms help consumers compare health plans and use their coverage, but they accelerated a trend towards tighter provider networks and tiered networks, as insurers turn to new levers to keep premium costs low. As a result, the issue of network adequacy is elevated.
Health insurance coverage is meaningless if consumers cannot get the covered benefits promised to them due to network constraints.
To ensure that patients and consumers have access to the care they need in a changing health care environment, the Consumer Representatives to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) have for several years urged the NAIC to update its Managed Care Network Adequacy Model Act. We are pleased that the NAIC, through its Network Adequacy Model Review Subgroup, is now undertaking this important task. To help inform the NAIC’s work, as well as the work of state and federal regulators, the consumer representatives offer this report, “Ensuring Consumers’ Access to Care: Network Adequacy State Insurance Survey Findings and Recommendations for Regulatory Reforms in a Changing Insurance Market.” To develop this report, the Consumer Representatives to the NAIC commissioned Health Management Associates to evaluate the current status of state requirements related to network adequacy, the challenges regulators face, and best practices for ensuring network access.
We then make recommendations for revising the Network Adequacy Model Act. We hope these findings and recommendations will be helpful to regulators moving forward.
Acknowledgments The Consumer Representatives to the NAIC would like to extend our deep and sincere appreciation to Dianne Longley, a respected former regulator at the Texas Department of Insurance, for her thorough and dedicated work in researching and writing this report. She currently works at Health Management Associates in the area of health policy. We would also like to thank Samia Abbass at Health Access California and Ashley Williams and Sarah Dash at Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms for their tremendous support on this project. We also thank Stefanay Allen and DragoonStudios in Atlanta for their creative design for this paper.
We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for their generous support for this project. And finally, as always, we are grateful to the NAIC for giving us the ongoing opportunity to provide consumer-focused input to insurance regulators on health policy issues, including implementation of the ACA.
Ensuring Consumers’ Access to Care 2 State and federal insurance regulators face new and complex challenges to ensuring that consumers’ interests are monitored and protected in a rapidly evolving health insurance market. As consumers enter the insurance market in record numbers as a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the increased competition and demand for health care services have created both new opportunities and new pressures for health plans and health care providers. Many insurers have responded by offering health plans with lower premiums in exchange for more limited access to health care providers.
Although some reasonable trade-offs are necessary to ensure health coverage is affordable, the increasing use of “narrow networks” and tiered networks has focused additional attention on the regulation of health plan provider networks and the potential financial implications for consumers who receive out-of-network services.1 Historically, state oversight of network adequacy has varied significantly from state to state and, in many cases, has not kept up with changes in health plan designs. Recently, NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) president- elect Monica Lindeen noted in her testimony before the House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health that older insurance statutes cannot fully accommodate the new health plan designs offered today, and that current state standards may need revisions to address network adequacy concerns.
Commissioner Lindeen announced that in response to the changing market and concerns regarding regulatory standards, the NAIC has agreed to update its 1996 network adequacy model law, which is intended to establish requirements for health plans to assure adequacy, accessibility, transparency, and quality of health care services for consumers.2 In March of 2014, the NAIC Regulatory Framework (B) Task Force created the Network Adequacy Model Review Subgroup to develop recommendations for updating the Managed Care Plan Network Adequacy Model Act. Since May, the NAIC Subgroup has been holding weekly public conference calls and using the NAIC’s open process to engage consumers, health care providers, business groups, insurers and other stakeholders in the review process.
In response to the Subgroup’s invitation to stakeholders to propose solutions, the NAIC Consumer Representatives offered to conduct a survey of all state Departments of Insurance (DOIs) to obtain information on statutory and regulatory requirements related to oversight of network adequacy, and to identify strategies used to monitor compliance with network adequacy requirements. Our goal through this effort was to identify challenges faced by regulators as well as “best practices” and successful initiatives used by states in order to develop recommendations for the NAIC’s consideration. The survey was sent to DOIs in all 50 states and to regulators in Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
The NAIC supported our efforts by encouraging states to respond to the survey and by allowing the Consumer Representatives to provide an overview of the survey project at the 2014 summer meeting. By September, DOIs had submitted a total of 38 completed surveys. The respondents represent states of varying sizes with different demographics, geographies, and health insurance exchange dynamics, providing excellent information on the current spectrum of regulatory approaches to network adequacy oversight and ensuring availability and transparency of information to enable consumers to make informed health plan purchasing decisions.
Ensuring Consumers’ Access to Care 3 Survey Results Not surprisingly, the survey results confirm that States do not take a “one size fits all” approach to network adequacy oversight. As the highlights in the table below indicate, different marketplace dynamics, varying levels of statutory authority, and other state-specific factors impact the tools regulators have available and the degree to which health plans must comply with specific requirements. Complete survey results are included later in this report.
SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS •  Most states have not adopted the NAIC Managed Care Plan Network Adequacy Model Act.
•  The primary tool regulators use to monitor network adequacy is complaint data. Almost all states track network adequacy-related complaints but vary in the level of detail they collect. • DOIs consistently report that one of the biggest challenges they face as regulators is developing consumer-friendly information and resources for consumers to help them understand the risks and potential costs associated with out-of-network services. While they agree consumers need better information to make informed decisions, they struggle to provide information in a clear, easy-to- understand format that addresses the variations in requirements for different types of health plans.
•  Just over a third of states have requirements that Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) update their provider directories on a regular basis, such as annually or semi-annually. • Overall, respondents indicate more regulatory authority exists for health maintenance organizations (HMOs) than PPO plans and even less regulatory oversight is in place for newer managed care products, such as Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPOs).
•  Less than half of states have provisions in place to prohibit or limit a situation in which a member receives services from an out-of-network provider (such as an anesthesiologist) when treated at an in- network hospital. However, those requirements are limited in many cases to specific situations such as emergency services, and the level of protection varies widely based on the type of plan (HMO or PPO). • Enforcement actions are rarely taken based on violations related to network adequacy. Only four states reported they usually take enforcement actions against more than one health plan a year due to network adequacy violations.
Recommended Changes to Managed Care Plan Network Adequacy Model Act In addition to providing a broad overview of the variety of regulatory approaches currently in place related to network adequacy, the survey results also identify opportunities for improved regulations that more accurately reflect the complexities of today’s health insurance market. While network adequacy oversight has evolved significantly in a few states, others have made little progress. To encourage states to consider opportunities for regulatory improvements, we have included in this report several recommendations for new state network adequacy oversight requirements and modifications to the NAIC Model Law based in part on responses and comments provided by survey respondents.
Although these suggestions do not represent the only options for improving network adequacy, we hope the NAIC and state regulators will seriously consider integrating these ideas into the new Model Law requirements and in any legislative or regulatory changes states are considering. •  Expand the scope of existing network adequacy regulations to include all types of network plans, including HMOs, PPOs, Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPOs), and Point of Service (POS) plans, and plans with multi-tier provider networks. 3 •  DOIs should evaluate the methods used to educate consumers on the ability to file complaints with the Department and identify ways to improve outreach to consumers to ensure they are fully informed of the Department’s complaint process.
Because regulators rely heavily on complaints as an indicator of potential problems with a health plan’s network, it is imperative that consumers are aware of the ability to file complaints with the DOI and the process for doing so. DOIs should also provide an on-line mail box for consumers to communicate problems or suggestions to the Department, even if the individual does not want to file an official complaint.
Ensuring Consumers’ Access to Care 4 •  Establish a process for regularly updating the NAIC Model Law to address oversight of new models of care, such as Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and other models that may evolve over time. •  Establish quantitative standards for meaningful, reasonable access to care, such as minimum provider-to-enrollee ratios, reasonable wait times for appointments based on urgency of the condition, and distance standards that require access to network providers within a reasonable distance from the enrollee’s residence. While we recognize that geography and local market conditions make it challenging to set national quantitative standards that would be appropriate in every state, we believe it is important that states set such standards.
•  Require health plans to submit and receive approval from DOI of access plans to ensure consumers are adequately protected from network deficiencies. •  Ensure consumers are provided sufficient information to identify and select between broad, narrow or ultra-narrow networks. In areas without sufficient choice, require health plans to offer at least one plan with a broad network or an out-of-network benefit, with limited exceptions to be determined by the Commissioner. •  Require all health plans, not just Qualified Health Plans (QHPs), to include access to Essential Community Providers.
•  Require all network plans to include provisions that protect consumers from balance billing in all emergency situations and when receiving services from non-network facility-based providers in an in-network facility. •  Require providers to notify health plans and patients when leaving a network for any reason. •  Require health plan provider directories to be updated regularly, publicly available for both enrolled members and individuals shopping for coverage, and include standards for information that must be included to provide consumers with information on network differences and the potential financial impact on consumers depending on which plan they choose.
•  Establish requirements guaranteeing continuity of care for individuals who are in the midst of an episode of care and their provider is dropped from or leaves the network or is moved to a higher cost tier. •  Create special enrollment periods to allow individuals to move to a new health plan when they rely on erroneous information published in a health plan’s provider directory, their primary care provider becomes a non-participating provider, or a covered person is in the midst of a course of treatment and loses access to their specialty care provider or facility. •  Work with other state agencies to address balance billing concerns resulting from consumers needing to use out-of- network providers.
•  Adopt standardized health plan reporting requirements to monitor frequency of out-of-network services and network adequacy, and identify circumstances where additional consumer protections or changes in regulatory processes are warranted. Require health plans to make information publicly available in a prominent position on their website. DOIs should also provide notice to consumers of the availability of such information and how it may be accessed. •  Establish a comprehensive, standardized list of complaint codes that all DOIs use to track consumer complaints related to network adequacy and access to care.
•  Expand efforts to educate consumers on DOI complaint processes to ensure they are aware of their right to file a complaint and reduce any administrative barriers that may discourage consumers from filing complaints. •  States should not rely solely on health plan accreditation as a substitute for demonstrating network adequacy compliance, but should supplement accreditation with additional standards.
Ensuring Consumers’ Access to Care 5 Network adequacy refers to a health plan’s ability to meet the medical needs of its enrollees by providing reasonable access to a sufficient number of in-network primary care and specialty physicians, as well as all other health care services for which benefits are included under the terms of the insurance contract.4 In the event an enrollee is unable to obtain covered services from an in-network health care provider and is treated by an out-of-network provider, the health plan may pay a much lower portion of the medical bill – or nothing at all – and the consumer may be faced with significantly higher cost-sharing that does not count toward their out-of-pocket limit.
Depending on the circumstances, the provider may also then “balance bill” the patient for the remaining costs, which can be a significant amount of money depending on the services received and the payment provided by the insurer. While network adequacy is typically the primary focus of regulatory oversight, balance billing is directly linked to network access and creates additional challenges for regulators. Although many states have struggled to determine how to best regulate provider networks in a way that ensures access to care while still allowing health plans flexibility in network design and network size in exchange for lower premiums, no single approach has evolved.
Primary oversight of network adequacy for commercial benefit plans is delegated to state Departments of Insurance (DOIs) that have adopted varying approaches based, in part, on differences in statutory authority granted by their Legislature. In addition, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) also plays a role in network adequacy regulation in its oversight of requirements for Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) offered on state and federal health insurance exchanges.5 While HHS has delegated network adequacy reviews to states in most cases, the requirements for QHP provider networks vary from those required of most commercial insurance plans, creating an additional complication for states in some cases.
States that have created a separate entity to operate their exchange may also have a role in monitoring network adequacy of QHPs sold on the exchange.
The initial network adequacy regulatory requirements developed by states and the NAIC were designed for HMOs but have evolved over time to include other types of network plans including PPOs and, to a much lesser extent, EPOs.6 In most if not all states, network adequacy regulations are more comprehensive for HMO plans than for PPOs due to the more restrictive HMO requirements that limit consumers’ ability to use any provider other than those included in the HMO network except in emergency situations or in cases where an enrollee does not have access to covered services from a network provider.
Generally, in an HMO health plan, the HMO must provide all covered services through a network provider, or arrange for an out-of-network provider to care for the enrollee at no additional cost if an in-network provider is not available. As long as the enrollee uses an in-network provider or receives approval for out-of-network services, the enrollee should not be balance billed for fees other than their standard co-payment.
However, network adequacy standards for PPOs are usually more complicated for regulators and consumers since PPOs do not provide prepaid care and benefits are included to allow enrollees to choose an out-of-network provider. Out-of-pocket costs for services are lower as long as the individual uses an in-network provider but may be significantly higher when receiving services from an out-of-network provider. While some state laws require PPOs to meet certain network adequacy standards, the criteria are frequently much less stringent than those for HMOs. As with HMOs, PPO enrollees are protected Network Adequacy and Financial Implications for Consumers
Ensuring Consumers’ Access to Care 6 from unexpected bills as long as they stay in their network or use out-of-network providers only when an in-network provider is unavailable and the PPO authorizes the use of a non-network provider. However, unlike HMOs, in the event a PPO enrollee is treated by an out-of-network provider, even when due to no choice of their own, the enrollee is responsible for the generally higher cost-sharing amounts and any remaining balance billed by the provider after the health plan has paid its portion of the bill.
Impact on Consumers of Inadequate Network Adequacy Regulatory Oversight When a network plan enrollee does receive out-of-network services, the costs can be significant, even in cases where the enrollee had no control over the circumstances and did not knowingly choose to use an out-of-network provider.
To better understand the need for improved consumer protections, a brief discussion of the circumstances created by inadequate networks helps to illustrate the frustrations of consumers who often have no control over the providers they see, even when “playing by the health plan rules” and making every effort to use only network providers. Following is a brief overview of situations in which consumers may receive treatment from out-of-network providers.
•  Treatment by an Out-of-Network Provider During a Pre-Approved In-Network Hospital Admission Consumers planning a hospital stay select an in-network hospital and an in-network provider for their primary services (such as surgery), but they must use the ancillary providers (e.g., anesthesiologists, radiologists, pathologists) with which the hospital contracts for other services received, such as lab work, anesthesiology, or imaging services. If those facility-based providers do not also contract with the patient’s health plan, the patient is frequently billed for out-of- network charges their health insurer does not pay.
Depending on the services, the out-of-network bill can amount to thousands of dollars that the patient did not anticipate or have any control over, despite their adherence to the health plan requirement that they use an in-network facility.7 In many cases, consumers are not even aware they were treated by a non-network provider until they receive a “surprise” bill. •  Balance Billing in an Emergency Under section 2719A of the Public Health Service Act, all non-grandfathered health plans are required to charge in- network cost-sharing for emergency services provided by an out-of-network emergency department (ED) physician or for emergency services provided by an out-of-network hospital.
However, despite this consumer protection, consumers can still find themselves subject to high out-of-pocket costs. When a consumer visits an emergency room and is treated by an emergency room doctor who does not participate in their insurance network, they can still be balance billed by the doctor and the hospital. Because hospital-based physicians often decide which insurance plans to participate in, a visit to the emergency room can result in multiple separate bills from different providers. An Avalere Health study commissioned by the American Heart Association found that hospital-based diagnostic radiologists were less likely to be included in QHP networks, compared to cardiologists and neurologists.
When hospital-based physicians do not contract with the same plans as the hospital, consumers end up receiving out-of-network services even if the hospital is an in-network facility. Depending on the level of the emergency, even an informed consumer may be unable to determine whether the contracted ED providers are in their network since provider directories do not typically list hospital-level participating providers. For emergency services, the patient’s balance bill can be especially significant as the amount an insurance company pays a doctor (the contract amount) is often much lower than the provider’s actual billed charge.8 In addition, if a patient who is treated and stabilized at an out-of-network hospital ED needs to be admitted as an inpatient, they can then face the difficult choice of staying and being subject to out-of-network cost- sharing (which could be 100 percent, depending on the type of plan they have) and balance billing or being transferred to an in-network hospital, which may not be in their best medical interest.
•  No Access to a Particular Type of Provider (e.g., Pediatric Orthopedist, Neonatologist) Regional shortages of certain specialty providers limit access to specialty care and can inhibit the health plan’s ability to develop adequate networks. Shortages occur in both rural and heavily populated urban areas and are most commonly seen for certain specialty services that may only be provided at a select group of facilities. While health plans are required to ensure access to necessary care within reasonable time frames, consumers may find themselves battling with health plans to obtain authorizations for out-of-network services when specialty providers are not included in the health plan’s network.
Members unwilling to wait for approval may seek care from an out-of-network provider that could result in balance billing if the health plan does not cover the full cost. Even when approval is issued, the health
Ensuring Consumers’ Access to Care 7 plan’s payment arrangement may still leave consumers with higher costs. Enrollees with uncommon health conditions are particularly vulnerable to these circumstances if the network does not provide access to highly specialized services available from only a limited number of providers. •  Unreasonable Delays in Access to Care Due to an Insufficient Network Consumers may also encounter delays in receiving services when a provider network is insufficient to meet the volume of services required by the enrollees they serve. Similar to the illustration above, consumers may choose to go to an out- of-network provider because they cannot find an in-network provider accepting new patients or because they do not believe they can wait for an available appointment from an in-network provider.
If so, they will be responsible for costs not covered by the health plan.
•  No Access to a Particular Treatment Due to Lack of Providers Who Offer It Consumers with chronic or serious medical conditions can be particularly impacted if a provider network does not include providers who can treat their particular condition. This is especially true for specialty providers at academic institutions or centers of excellence who offer services that are not available at another facility. An Avalere Health study commissioned by the American Heart Association found that inclusion of Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSC) and specialty physicians affiliated with those facilities varied widely across 10 regions; however, the study found that 23 percent of the QHPs reviewed did not include a single CSC in their network and inclusion of select specialty physicians ranged from a low of 8 percent in Los Angeles to a high of 83 percent in Philadelphia.
If the provider is not included in the enrollee’s network, the enrollee may seek an authorization for services from the health plan, but may still be responsible for out-of-network costs or subject to balance billing. If they are unable to receive an authorization but decide to seek services anyway, the costs can be even higher.
Although consumers may be faced with these challenges in any network plan, individuals enrolled in “narrow networks” may bear an increased risk of encountering difficulties obtaining in-network services. In an effort to attract new consumers entering the health insurance market through the exchanges, both HMO and PPO health plans have increasingly turned to more limited “narrow networks” that offer fewer provider choices in exchange for lower premiums.9 As this trend continues to grow more popular among health plans, consumers’ access to and choice of providers may be severely limited, which may also lead to increased consumer complaints about lack of choice among providers or inability to access certain specialty providers in a timely manner.
For consumers with limited financial resources who have chosen a narrow network plan due in part to the lower premium, the cost of unforeseen balance bills can create financial risks that are especially difficult for them to absorb. In some states, severely limited networks have left large numbers of doctors and hospitals completely out of the provider network, frustrating consumers who need, or would like, to receive care from the excluded providers. For example: •  California consumers recently filed lawsuits against insurance companies alleging they offered inadequate networks of doctors and hospitals and provided incorrect information about participating providers, often leaving consumers with large medical bills.10 Consumers claim they did not find out the providers were out-of-network until after they received care and were forced to pay out-of-network charges.
Claimants also report they were unable to switch health plans despite the fact that they selected the plan based on inaccurate provider information. •  In Washington, four of the seven health insurers selling plans in the health insurance exchange excluded several of the most prestigious Seattle hospitals, including Seattle Children’s Hospital.11 One plan included only one hospital in its network of hospital providers, and the hospital does not offer child delivery services. In response to complaints from providers and consumers that such networks do not provide reasonable access to necessary medical care, the Insurance Commissioner adopted more stringent network adequacy requirements for 2015 that require plans to ensure provider directories are accurate and clearly identify which providers participate in which network.
Health plans must also include enough providers to meet time and/or distance requirements to ensure enrollees have a sufficient number of network providers to meet enrollees’ needs in a reasonable time frame.
•  In New Hampshire, the sole insurer participating in the health insurance exchange, Anthem, reduced the breadth of its provider network by excluding over 30 percent of the state’s hospitals.12 In response to complaints from consumer and provider groups, as well as federal and state policymakers, the New Hampshire Department of Insurance initiated a review of its network adequacy standards and has drafted new rules which, if adopted, will apply to plans offered in the plan year beginning January 2016. For 2015, four new insurers are entering the market, and all hospitals in the state will be included in at least one plan network.13
Ensuring Consumers’ Access to Care 8 As network adequacy has received increased attention, regulators have begun to focus on improving the current regulatory framework for oversight of health plan networks and payment policies related to out-of-network bills. In doing so, some regulators have relied primarily on anecdotal data captured through complaints filed by consumers, which only identifies problems after-the-fact and relies on consumers’ awareness of the complaint process. Because not all consumers affected by inadequate networks or balance billing actually file complaints with DOIs, the full extent of the problem is unknown.
While most states have little data to confirm the extent to which health plan enrollees receive out-of-network services, and even less information on the frequency of balance billing, a few states have increased efforts to collect data to assist in their oversight activities and to inform the development of new regulatory options. For example: •  A Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) regulation that took effect in 2013 requires Texas PPOs to provide to TDI out-of network service data for hospital-based physician types, including emergency department (ED) doctors. Analysis of the data published by the Center for Public Policy Priorities shows that Texas consumers are at significant risk of being balance billed for services provided by non-network providers, even when using in-network hospitals.
For example, two of the largest insurers in the state reported that 48 percent and 56 percent of their in-network hospitals had no in-network ED doctors. Out-of-network fees paid to ED physicians were more than twice as high as fees paid to other out-of-network hospital-based providers. One plan in particular reported significantly higher levels of hospitals with no in-network facility-based providers, including 56 percent of hospitals with no in-network ED physicians, 38 percent of hospitals with no in-network anesthesiologists, and 31 percent of hospitals with no in-network radiologists.
14 •  A review of consumer complaints related to health insurance reimbursements in New York revealed that more than 10,000 complaints related to balance billing were filed since 2008. In describing new legislation that will provide additional data on out-of-network services and authorizes regulations to improve network adequacy oversight, Benjamin Lawsky, Superintendent of Financial Services and the chief insurance regulator for the state of New York, noted, “The heart of the bill came out of the fact that the No. 1 complaint on health insurance issues we receive year after year is people who get stuck with surprise balance bills.”15 While these examples of data collection by DOIs are a good beginning, they are still uncommon and represent the exception rather than the rule.
We hope these and other activities states are pursuing will encourage the NAIC and other state DOIs to consider taking similar steps to improve protections for the consumers enrolled in network plans.
Ensuring Consumers’ Access to Care 9 While states have historically been the primary regulators of health insurance, with the implementation of the ACA, health plans may be subject to oversight by not only the state DOI, but also the state Medicaid agency and the entity operating the health insurance exchange, which in some cases is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).16 Since the adoption of the ACA and subsequent debate regarding the division of state and federal regulatory responsibilities, a number of states have consistently expressed concern regarding expansion of federal oversight of state insurance markets.
In an April 2014 letter from officers of the NAIC to the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, regulators state, “We believe federal regulation of network adequacy standards will lead to conflicting standards between state and federal requirements and that network adequacy regulation will be most effective at the state level where the needs of consumers, the cost of care, and the standards of the area, can best be evaluated.”17 Despite the resistance from states, federal regulators have increasingly indicated a willingness to regulate network adequacy and access to care.
For example, as will be discussed in greater detail later in this report, CMS has signaled plans for greater network adequacy oversight and regulation of qualified health plans (QHPs) certified for inclusion in federally facilitated exchanges. Similarly, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury recently issued a number of Frequently Asked Question guidance documents clarifying how a non-grandfathered health plan that “utilizes reference- based pricing (or similar network design)” will be evaluated to ensure that “it provides adequate access to quality providers”.18 This FAQ applies to all non-grandfathered health plans using reference-based pricing or a similar scheme.
Its reasoning would apply to any restrictive network design.
To better understand the impact of the federal requirements and how state regulations can be effectively designed to meet both federal and state oversight requirements, the following section provides an overview of the federal statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to the networks of QHPs offered to exchange enrollees. The information includes comments provided in proposed and adopted regulations to provide the perspective of federal regulators and their expectations with regard to network adequacy oversight.
ACA Requirements Related to Network Adequacy Section 1311(c) of the ACA requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to adopt regulations establishing criteria for the certification of QHPs, including the following network adequacy requirements: •  Ensure a “sufficient choice of providers (in a manner consistent with applicable network adequacy provisions under section 2702(c)19 of the Public Health Service Act), and provide information to enrollees and prospective enrollees on the availability of in-network and out-of-network providers”, and •  Include within plan networks “essential community providers, where available, that serve predominantly low income, medically underserved individuals, such as health providers defined in Section 340B of the Public Health Service Act.” Current Federal Regulatory Structure
Ensuring Consumers’ Access to Care 10 The ACA describes providers who are considered to be essential community providers through its reference to Section 340B of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), which guarantees access to discounted drugs for certain healthcare providers that serve low income populations. In addition, ACA Section 1311 also requires the Secretary to establish criteria for all QHPs to obtain accreditation by a recognized entity on the basis of local performance in several categories, including consumer access and network adequacy.
Also of note, Section 2707(b) limits consumers’ annual out-of-pocket costs (i.e., cost-sharing) paid for covered health plan services, but Section 1302(c) of the ACA does not require insurers to count costs paid by consumers to out-of-network providers towards their annual out-of-pocket limit.
The Department of Health and Human Services subsequently adopted federal rules consistent with this restriction. As noted above, a recent tri-agency Frequently Asked Questions guidance suggests that network designs (including some reference-based pricing programs) may be a subterfuge for evading the out-of- pocket limit, however, and thus be illegal.20 U.S. Health and Human Services Regulations Related to Network Adequacy On March 12, 2012, HHS issued a final rule to implement the provisions related to establishment of health insurance exchanges under the ACA.21 The rule finalized two separate proposed rules issued in 2011: •  Establishment of Exchanges and Qualified Health Plans (July 15, 2011); and •  Exchange Functions in the Individual Market: Eligibility Determinations and Exchange Standards for Employers (August 17, 2011).
In the preamble, HHS states that while it recognizes that national standards are appropriate in some circumstances, states are “best equipped to adapt the minimum Exchange functions to their local markets and the unique needs of their residents.” The intent is to provide states “substantial discretion” in the design and operation of an exchange. HHS Regulatory Impact Analysis of Final Exchange Rule In the regulatory impact analysis of the final rule, HHS included explanations regarding its rationale for network adequacy requirements.22 HHS restates that the rule permits state discretion in setting network adequacy standards.
An exchange may determine that existing state requirements for commercial providers is sufficient for QHPs, provided that QHPs will be required to maintain a network that is sufficient in number and types of providers so that services will be provided without unreasonable delay. If states use that approach, HHS reports that this regulatory provision will have no cost impact on premiums. HHS also says that, “While it is not expected, the Exchange could set additional standards in accordance with current provider market characteristics and consumer needs, which could have a minimal cost impact.” If a state exchange sets QHP network adequacy standards that go beyond what is currently required in the market, HHS acknowledges that health plans may need to contract with additional providers at higher rates.
If that is the case, premium rates are also likely to be higher. HHS says that the network adequacy standards are designed to maintain a “basic level of consumer protection,” while allowing QHP issuers to compete for business based on their networks, quality of coverage, and premiums. HHS also notes that the final rule “permits QHP issuers to contract with a sufficient number and geographic distribution of essential community providers to provide timely access to services for low-income and medically underserved individuals. QHP issuers are not required to contract with all essential community providers and, except for certain limited categories of providers, the issuer is not required to contract with an essential community provider if the provider does not accept the issuer’s generally accepted rates for participating providers.”
Ensuring Consumers’ Access to Care 11 Final Rule Requirements Related to Network Adequacy Network adequacy and related requirements are included in both Section 155 related to responsibilities of the exchange and Section 156 related to requirements for issuers of QHPs. Following is a summary of those provisions as stated in the final rule. Establishment of Exchange Network Adequacy Standards (45 CFR §155.1050) This section of the rule requires the exchange to ensure that the provider network of each QHP offers a sufficient choice of providers for enrollees to meet the standards for network adequacy specified in §156.230.
Final Rule Provisions: •  The exchange must ensure that the provider network of each QHP meets the standards described in §156.230 (i.e., includes a sufficient number and type of providers, includes essential community providers, requires plans to provide provider directories, and allows plans to limit enrollment if they do not have the capacity to serve additional enrollees); •  The U.S. Office of Personnel Management will oversee network adequacy standards and compliance for multi-State plans; •  The exchange cannot prohibit a QHP issuer from contracting with any essential community provider as designated in §156.235(c).
Network Adequacy Standards (45 CFR §156.230) This section provides network adequacy standards required of QHPs. In the preamble response to comments, HHS notes there are several competing goals in establishing requirements for adequate networks. In balancing the varying perspectives, HHS modified the language in the proposed rule to more closely align with the NAIC Managed Care Plan Network Adequacy Model Act. HHS notes that the revised language better conveys their expectations concerning the number and variety of providers that are required in a QHP’s network. The revisions also establish a baseline – “All services… without reasonable delay” – for determining whether a network meets the required standard.
HHS states that the revised language provides states with the discretion needed to ensure network adequacy standards within the exchange are consistent with standards applied outside the exchange, and reflect local conditions. The rule also says that “….placing the responsibility for compliance on QHP issuers rather than directing the Exchange to develop standards, is more consistent with current State practice.” In response to recommendations that the rule prohibit a network from being deemed inadequate in a professional shortage area, HHS repeats that states should have flexibility to develop local solutions to ensure access.
Further, HHS believes that the standards for inclusion of essential community providers in networks will help strengthen access in medically-underserved areas. In response to comments suggesting that the rule require the inclusion of specific provider types and that networks meet a “uniform growth standard” to ensure they are able to accept new enrollees, HHS states that the final rule is modified to require that networks include sufficient numbers and types of providers, including providers specializing in mental health and substance abuse services, to ensure appropriate access to care. HHS also reiterates comments made in the proposed rule preamble, urging states to consider local demographics and availability of providers when developing network adequacy standards.
Several commenters suggested the rules impose more stringent standards for network directories. The final rule notes that exchanges will be given discretion regarding the information included in the directory and frequency of required updates, but HHS expects directories to include information on each provider’s licensure or credentials, specialty and contact information, and to consider the information needs of both current and potential enrollees. The rule requires that provider directories comply with the requirements in §155.230, which includes accommodations for individuals with limited English proficiency and/or disabilities.23 HHS also declined to establish a uniform standard for patient notifications when a provider leaves a network.
The rule states that such a requirement may not be consistent with the non-exchange market, and might raise QHP administrative costs. Finally, the preamble addresses comments suggesting that QHPs are obligated to include health programs operated by or on behalf of Indian tribes based on section 408 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA). HHS responds that the intent of section 408 is to confirm that Indian providers are eligible to receive payment from Federal Health Care Programs if certain standards are met. Section 26 of IHCIA provides that Indian providers are entitled to third party payments, including
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