Health Beat: Consumers Attitudes Changing, Assuming Ownership of Healthcare Choices, Study Says

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STUDY: CONSUMERS ATTITUDES CHANGING, ASSUMING OWNERSHIP OF HEALTHCARE CHOICES
New research was released Aug. 25 underscoring the impact recent changes in the healthcare industry has had on increasing consumer choice for health insurance and encouraging individuals to assume greater ownership of their healthcare.

First conducted in 2013 by Chicago-based Valence Health, the 2015 “U.S. Attitudes Toward Health Insurance and Healthcare Reform” study found that Americans are spending more time evaluating their insurance options and are securing coverage from sources other than their employer. This trend is occurring despite widespread consumer unfamiliarity with non-traditional health plan options, including provider-sponsored health plans (PSHPs). Survey data also reveals that consumers consider a health plan’s cost the most important factor when selecting coverage.

The news comes on the heels of a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (CDC NCHS) report announcing that for the first time in history, more than 90% of Americans are now insured, a statistic attributable to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Complete research findings and the methodology for the report, conducted by Chicago-based Valence Health, are available here.

RATES APPROVED FOR HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE
Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Allen Kerr approved the health insurance rate filings for the state health insurance marketplace for 2016. Speculation for months has centered on how large rates may jump as state policymakers look to control rising health insurance costs. In some states, rates have risen by large double-digits, but Arkansas’ rate increases will all be single digit increases. One company, Qualchoice, was approved for a significant rate decrease. View the breakdowns of the rate adjustments here.

NATIONAL DENTAL CHAIN OPENS 4TH ARKANSAS OFFICE IN ROGERS
New York-based Aspen Dental has announced the opening of a new location in Rogers on Sept. 3, which will provide services that range from dentures and preventive care to general dentistry and restoration.

Dr. Shannon Gore Wright, who received her DDS degree at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, will be the lead dentist in the new Northwest Arkansas office. The Benton County location is one of four the national dental chain has announced in Arkansas over the past year.

In March, Aspen spokesman Pat Simon said the Syracuse, N.Y.-based dental chain has plans to open five locations in Arkansas. Aspen offices in Searcy, Jonesboro and Bryant have already opened in 2015, while another location is planned for Russellville later this year.

UAMS, BAYLOR STUDY FINDS NEWBORN HYPOGLYCEMIA MAY AFFECT LATER ACADEMIC OUTCOMES
Newborns with transient low blood sugar may have lower literacy and math achievement test scores by the fourth grade, according to researchers from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston in a report published online in the journal, JAMA Pediatrics.

Transient low blood sugar is a type of hypoglycemia in which an initial low blood sugar reading is followed by a second test showing a normal blood sugar level. The UAMS and Baylor researchers were able to make the association of early transient hypoglycemia with decreased proficiency on literacy and mathematics tests, after controlling for gestational age, race, gender, socioeconomic status and maternal education.

Babies with normal glucose levels were about 20%t more proficient on achievement tests than those with initially low glucose levels. This finding is important since lower fourth-grade achievement test scores can be associated with lower high school graduation rates, less college attendance, and ultimately less long-term economic success. To view the report, click here.