SHADAC Issue Brief #29 describes the best practices that five states shared related to system design and business requirements of streamlining application and enrollment processes, and modernizing eligibility determination systems for ACA implementation.

This is one of two briefs that draw on the experiences of five states (Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, New York and Oregon) that received federal grant funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) through the State Health Access Program (SHAP).

Download this brief

Download the companion brief, "Best Practices in SHAP Outreach, Eligibility, and Enrollment Activities"

Microsimulation models are increasingly being used to inform the many policy decisions raised by the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  They are important tools for estimating the potential impact of public policies on the behavior of individuals and/or organizations with respect to one or more outcomes (cost and coverage often being the focus). Their use by individual states is particularly important because each state starts with very different political, social and economic circumstances, and states have considerable flexibility in how they will implement the many ACA provisions.

In this webinar sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s State Health Reform Assistance Network program, Dr. Jean Abraham, Assistant Professor of the Division of Health Policy & Management at the University of Minnesota, reviewed five major microsimulation models discussing their key components, similarities and differences, and highlighting questions states should consider when contracting for or using modeling outputs.

Dr. Abraham was joined by Danielle Holahan, Project Director for Health Insurance Exchange Planning in New York State.  Ms. Holahan shared New York’s experience working with a microsimulation vendor and highlight key issues for other states.

Supporting Materials

Click here to view the presentation slides.

Click here to view the presentation transcript.

Click here to view the brief on Microsimulation Models.

You can also access these file in the downloads section below.

On the webinar Ms. Holahan mentioned some public documents related to New York’s microsimulation work, conducted by the Urban Institute.  These documents can be found here: www.healthcarereform.ny.gov

Key documents of interest include:
Presentation slides on the simulation modeling results.

Documentation of premium constructions.

Memo on the estimate state saving under reform.

Additional documents will be posted on New York’s reform website as they are released.

Presentation by SHADAC Deputy Director Julie Sonier at the Minnesota Health Services Research Conference, held March 6, 2012 in St. Paul, MN.

This presentation describes a modeling tool of state Affordable Care Act impacts on coverage that allows users to input/change assumptions and allows for detailed analysis by characteristics relevant to health insurance coverage.

Compared to microsimulation models it is more timely and can be updated easily, is less costly, and is more transparent.

Download a PDF version of these slides.

Presentation by SHADAC Research Assistant Peter Graven at the Minnesota Health Services Research Conference, held March 6, 2012 in St. Paul, MN.

This presentation and associated paper describe a model developed by SHADAC researchers to predict lack of insurance coverage for Minnesota counties using multiple data sources. While the results are exploratory in nature, the methodology allows for additional applications using the Bayesian framework developed.

This research was based on work conducted for the Minnesota Department of Health, Health Economics Program.

Download the Conference Proceedings paper.

Download a PDF version of these slides.
 

The SHARE 2012 Proposal Advisory Group, or "PAG," is composed of broad set of experts in state health policy and health services research who will: 

1. Assess the merits of each proposal submitted under SHARE's 2012 call for proposals (CFP) based on program criteria set out in the CFP;
2. Discuss the comparative merits across all applicants; and
3. Provide funding recommendations to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. 

The use of a PAG is meant to ensure a fair and externally-based selection process.  PAG members and SHARE staff follow the RWJF Statement for national program offices and reviewers on Conflicts of Interest and Confidentiality.