Massachusetts Association of Health Plans

From all of us at the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, wishing you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

It's the prices. Health plans cannot solve our health care affordability challenges alone - it will take all entities in the health care ecosystem to make meaningful progress on containing costs for employers and consumers. Massachusetts Association of Health Plans President & CEO Lora Pellegrini offered remarks at the Health Policy Commission's 2024 Annual Cost Trends Hearing last week, highlighting the impact of price increases for prescription drugs and hospital and provider rate demands on premium affordability.

There's still time to register for tomorrow's forum! Please join us for a Massachusetts Association of Health Plans virtual policy forum: Exploring the Impact of Health Care Innovations, featuring Caroline Pearson, the Executive Director of the Peterson Center on Healthcare. Pearson will present an overview of the Peterson Health Technology Institute (PHTI), which launched in 2023 to evaluate the clinical and economic impacts of digital health solutions. PHTI provides independent evaluations of innovative health care technologies to improve health and lower costs. Through its rigorous, evidence-based research, PHTI analyzes the clinical benefits and economic impact of digital health solutions, as well as their effects on health equity, privacy, and security. These evaluations inform key decisions for providers, patients, payers, and investors, accelerating the adoption of high-value technology in health care. To join us, register below: https://lnkd.in/efhJRj_X

Thrilled to be at the beautiful John F Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum for the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans 2024 Annual Conference. Thank you to our amazing sponsors for making today possible! Sagility Novo Nordisk Sandata Technologies PointClickCare Optum Color Dexcom Goodroot Healthcare Fraud Shield Johnson & Johnson Magellan Healthcare mPulse Smart Data Solutions Stellar Health Verrill Preti Strategies Medline Industries, LP Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Apixio Episource ForHealth Consulting at UMass Chan Medical School Movn Health Neurocrine Biosciences symplr WellSky Unite Us https://mahpconference.com

TOMORROW: The Massachusetts Association of Health Plans 2024 Annual Conference! We are looking forward to seeing you all at the JFK Library. Our fantastic line up of speakers includes Governor Healey, Office of Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Massactive Office of Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh, Health Policy Commission’s Executive Director David Seltz and David Auerbach, Leemore Dafny, Cory King and more… Thank you to our presenting sponsor Sagility for helping to make tomorrow possible. See you there! https://lnkd.in/edP8qtGF

We are excited to share the latest edition of MAHP OnPoint, a series of policy papers that examine issues impacting cost, quality, and access to health care in the Commonwealth. "The Cost Benchmark vs. Health Insurance Premiums: What’s the Difference?" provides an in-depth look at Massachusetts’ health care cost growth benchmark and the nuances of health insurance premium development.   Key highlights from the white paper:   Defining the Cost Growth Benchmark – this system-wide measure for annual health care spending growth evaluates spending retrospectively against a statewide target indexed to the state’s long-term economic growth. Understanding Premium Development – health insurance premiums are developed prospectively, based on an individual health plan’s historic claims experience, and must reflect the actual cost of providing health care services for the upcoming plan year. Drivers of Health Care Expenditures Impacting Premium Rates and Performance Against the Benchmark – increases in total health care expenditures and premium rates are directly linked to continued price increases for hospital services and pharmacy costs.   As the Health Policy Commission’s Cost Trends Hearing approaches, this policy brief provides critical insights into the differences between these two metrics and their roles in shaping health care policy and spending in the Commonwealth. Read the brief at the link below. https://lnkd.in/equPZf6a

The Massachusetts Association of Health Plans is hosting a Virtual Policy Forum: Exploring the Impact of Health Care Innovations, featuring Caroline Pearson, Executive Director at the Peterson Center on Healthcare. Pearson will present an overview of the Peterson Health Technology Institute (PHTI), which she launched in 2023 to evaluate the clinical and economic impacts of digital health solutions. Join us on November 20th at 2:00 p.m. for a discussion of PHTI's work by registering at the link below: https://lnkd.in/efhJRj_X

A new presidential administration in 2025 has the potential to make significant changes to the health policy landscape at the federal level. Massachusetts Association of Health Plans' President & CEO, Lora Pellegrini comments on what this means for Massachusetts:

We are proud to announce the release of our annual report on Massachusetts Association of Health Plans member plans community giving initiatives, which provides an overview of the community benefits and charitable giving programs that MAHP member plans supported or newly established in 2023. Our member plans continue to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to supporting and caring for the people they serve every day, through vital and innovative programs that strengthen the social fabric of the communities where their members live. These programs support a wide range of services tailored to promote and encourage a healthier and more equitable Commonwealth. To learn more, click here: https://lnkd.in/d5eMStbm

Leaders of our nine Colleague Resource Groups worked with the Point32Health Foundation to identify and recommend community nonprofits aligned with the CRGs’ affinities. Nonprofit organizations including Association of Latino Professionals for America (FIU), COMMUNITY HEALING CENTER, EPIC (Empowering People for Inclusive Communities), Girls' LEAP, May Institute, New Hampshire Women's Foundation, Vouchers for Veterans,The Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts and Gay For Good Boston will receive grants totaling $45,000 from Point32Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/evKZwSKW