Health Beat: Survey Says Most Enrolled In Marketplace Coverage Satisfied With Premiums

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KAISER FOUNDATION: MOST ENROLLED IN MARKETPLACE COVERAGE SATISFIED WITH PREMIUMS
Following the Affordable Care Act’s second open enrollment period, most people enrolled in marketplace plans report being satisfied with a wide range of their plan’s coverage and features, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation survey of people who buy their own health insurance.

A large majority (74%) of those in marketplace plans rate their coverage as excellent or good, the survey finds. Most (59%) also say their plan is an excellent or good value for what they pay for it, though the share rating the value as “excellent” declined somewhat from 23% last year to 15% in the current survey.

Majorities also say they are “very” or “somewhat” satisfied with seven different features of their plans, including their choice of primary-care doctors (75%), hospitals (75%) and specialists (64%); what they have to pay out of pocket for doctor visits (73%), prescription drugs (70%) and annual deductibles (60%); and their monthly premiums (65%).

The full survey results are online here.

ARKANSAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL NAMES TWO TO TELEMEDICINE STAFF
Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) has named two “innovators” from its staff to lead its expanding Telemedicine Department.

Allergy and asthma expert Tamara Perry, MD, will be medical director of ACH Telemedicine. Since joining ACH in 2004, Dr. Perry has focused on improving quality of life for kids coping with allergies, asthma and breathing difficulties by using innovative technologies to ensure they have access to the most appropriate care.

ACH has also promoted Shawn Harwell to administrative director of Telemedicine. Over the last five years, Harwell has managed ACH Media Services, and telemedicine offerings grew as a component of that division.

250,000 ELIGIBLE FOR ARKANSAS’ MEDICAID EXPANSION PLAN
The number of Arkansans approved as eligible to enroll in the state’s expansion of Medicaid, known as the private option, has surpassed 250,000 people. That’s an upward tick of 8,696 people deemed eligible from March 31st to April 30th. A release Friday by the state Department of Human Services reports 234,791 people have actually been enrolled, up from 229,599 in the previous month.

HEPATITIS C ON THE RISE IN ARKANSAS, STUDY SAYS
Illness and death due to Hepatitis C (Hep C) infection is increasing in Arkansas, according to new research published in the May 2015 issue of the Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society. The research, conducted by physicians and epidemiologists from the Arkansas Department of Health and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, showed that Hep C-related hospitalizations increased from 2,837 in 2004, to 4,141 in 2012.

In addition, Hep C is now a leading cause or contributing factor in more deaths than HIV. The most recent data available suggests Hep C-related deaths occur at nearly twice the rate of HIV-related deaths.

As a result, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is encouraging all individuals born between 1945 and 1965, or anyone who is at risk for infection, get tested for Hepatitis C at least once. Testing is available at all 94 county health units, and individuals may also ask their primary care doctor about getting tested.

NEW U.S. NURSING WORKFORCE STUDY TO BE CONDUCTED
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing, in partnership with The National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers, will launch the only national-level survey specifically focused on the U.S. nursing workforce in June.

The study is aimed at generating accurate and up-to-date information on the supply of nurses in the U.S. The data are critical to planning for sufficient numbers of adequately trained nurses and ensuring a safe and effective health care system, sponsors say.

From the more than 4.5 million RNs and LPN/VNs currently licensed in the U.S., the study will draw a national representative sample of 5.8%, approximately 260,000 nurses.

Current data on the nursing workforce is vital to predicting potential shortages and assisting in the allocation of resources, program development and recruitment efforts in both the education and health care sectors, officials said. The results of the 2015 survey will be especially valuable in light of expanding demand for nursing services, including primary care for the millions of newly insured under the Affordable Care Act, the growing population of aging Americans in long-term care facilities, and the advance of technologies that provide virtual access of health care providers to patients.

To learn more, click here.