CT, MI among states grappling to implement health exchanges

While some states have abided by the healthcare reform schedule outlined by President Barack Obama’s administration through the Affordable Care Act, others are having difficulty keeping pace.

The Washington Post recently reported Connecticut is among the states struggling to implement certain measures on time. Access Health CT, the state’s health insurance exchange upon which residents and employers are expected to purchase coverage, will not completely functional when enrollment opens on Oct. 1.

Connecticut is among the 17 states that have declared a state-based exchange. In January, state healthcare decision-makers chose to delay about 30 percent of the virtual marketplace’s feature, the newspaper explained. Some of these functions will have to be undertaken manually instead.

Meanwhile, Michigan, which is one of seven states engaging in a partnership with the federal government to establish and operate an exchange, is also working to carry out its healthcare reform responsibilities. However, Crain’s Detroit Business reported a recent survey found 75 percent of health information technology executives polled expressed concern about whether the online marketplace will be ready by October.

Much like other states, tech infrastructure is the only worry Michigan healthcare leaders have. Governments across the country are working to educate people, many of whom have never purchased insurance coverage before.