Health Savings Accounts and Account-Based Health Plans: Research Highlights
This brief report highlights research and statistics on the market for account-based health plans.

Health Literacy and America’s Health Insurance Plans: Laying the Foundation and Beyond
This publication explains the innovative approaches that 27 health plans have taken to providing easily understood, actionable health and benefits information for consumers.

Summary of Benefits and Coverage and Uniform Glossary Proposed Rule: Implementation and Annual Ongoing Costs of Compliance.
In September 2011, AHIP conducted a survey of health insurance plans on costs of compliance with the new Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) and the Uniform Glossary requirements detailed in a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Labor, and Department of Treasury on August 22, 2011.

Low-Income & Rural Beneficiaries with Medigap Coverage, 2009
Medigap supplemental coverage has long helped Medicare beneficiaries fill gaps in their benefits. Recently released data from the 2009 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) serve as a reminder of the critical role played by Medigap coverage. The MCBS data show that Medigap is particularly important to low- and moderate-income beneficiaries, especially those living in rural areas.

Low-Income & Minority Beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage Plans, 2009
New data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) show that Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare’s private comprehensive health plans, continue to be a vital source of coverage for low-income and minority beneficiaries in 2009.

2011 Health Insurance: Overview and Economic Impact in the States
This report is a compendium of reference information on health insurance in the states. Key indicators are presented for each state and cover such topics as private health insurance coverage and premiums, jobs and wages in the insurance industry, premium taxes paid by insurance companies, and data on the uninsured and Medicaid.

Trends in Medigap Coverage and Enrollment, 2010-2011
This report presents trends in enrollment in Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance coverage, using data on the numbers of policies in force as of December 2010 from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and an America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) survey of newly purchased policies issued by Medigap carriers through the first quarter of 2011. The NAIC dataset contains information on most Medigap policies in force in the U.S.

Small Group Health Insurance in 2010: A Comprehensive Survey of Premiums, Product Choices, and Benefits
In July 2010, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) conducted a comprehensive survey of member companies offering coverage in the small group health insurance market. Responses included premium and benefit data from more than 477,000 small groups (those with 50 or fewer employees), reflecting approximately 3.7 million workers and 1.3 million dependents with coverage as of January 2010.

January 2011 Census Shows 11.4 Million People Covered by Health Savings Account/High-Deductible Health Plans (HSA/HDHPs) (Full Report; Slides)
An annual census by America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) of U.S. health insurance carriers shows that the number of people covered by health savings account/high-deductible health plans (HSA/HDHPs) totaled 11.4 million in January 2011.

Medigap: What You Need To Know
An informative report on how private Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance works, who purchases it, and what it covers. Describes recent product design changes to conform with the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA).

The Federal Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) Calculations -- Background and Initial Costs of Compliance.
In January 2011, AHIP conducted a survey of health insurance plans on costs of compliance with the new national Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) rule, as enacted in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and described in an "interim final" rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on December 1, 2010.

Health Care Cost Summit Report: Slowing the Growth of Health Costs – How to Bend the Cost Curve
Economists, policy makers and budget experts have warned for decades that health care costs are the nation’s most urgent fiscal problem. Unfortunately, while agreement on the problem is easy, bi-partisan solutions have been much more elusive. This summit linked health care, health insurance, economic, and budget policy experts in a discussion of the politics of cost containment and ways to address the problem of ever-increasing health care costs. The conference was held in Washington, DC on March 9, 2011, at the Westin Georgetown hotel.

Insurers' Efforts to Prevent Health Care Fraud
This report presents updated information based on AHIP's 2010 study of fraud and abuse claims, detection strategies, and reported savings attributable to anti-fraud efforts from 2006 to 2008. The study included both quantitative data collection and open-ended questions that allowed anti-fraud professionals to describe their views and challenges.

Recent Trends in Hospital Prices in California and Oregon (Full Report; Slides)
Using data from California’s Office of State Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) and Oregon’s Office of Health Policy and Research (OHPR), this report presents new data on the growth of hospital prices in California and Oregon.

Low-Income & Minority Beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage Plans, 2008
New data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) show that Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare’s private comprehensive health plans, were a vital source of coverage for low-income and minority beneficiaries in 2008.

Low-Income & Rural Beneficiaries with Medigap Coverage, 2008
Medigap supplemental coverage has long helped Medicare beneficiaries fill gaps in their benefits. Recently released data from the 2008 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) serve as a reminder of the critical role played by Medigap coverage. The MCBS data show that Medigap is particularly important to low- and moderate-income beneficiaries, especially those living in rural areas.

An Analysis of Health Savings Account Balances, Contributions, and Withdrawals in 2009
A comprehensive study of financial activity in health savings accounts (HSAs). Data collected from three large banks contain detailed account information of more than 1.2 million HSA accounts open as of December 31, 2009.

Using AHRQ’s 'Revisit' Data to Estimate 30-Day Readmission Rates in Medicare Advantage and the Traditional Fee-for-Service Program (Full Report)
New 30-day readmission rate calculations using “revisit” data from AHRQ show consistently lower rates among Medicare Advantage patients.

Health Plans’ Estimated Costs of Implementing ICD-10 Diagnosis Coding
A survey of health plans shows the incremental costs for implementation of ICD-10 over the next three years will be substantial.

Characteristics of Medigap Policies, December 2009
Medigap policies continued to be an important source of coverage for Medicare beneficiaries in 2009.

Innovations in Reducing Preventable Hospital Admissions, Readmissions, and Emergency Room Use (Full Report; Highlights)
A review of health plan programs to revitalize primary care, improve care coordination, and help patients avoid adverse health events.

January 2010 Census Shows 10 Million People Covered By HSA Qualified High-Deductible Health Plans (Full Report; Slides)
An annual census by America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) of U.S. health insurance carriers shows that the number of people covered by health savings accounts/high-deductible health plans (HSA/HDHPs) totaled 10.0 million in January 2010. As in previous years, AHIP received participation from virtually all private health insurance carriers in the HSA/HDHP market for this census. This census does not include coverage associated with health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), which are most commonly offered in the large-group market.

Working Paper: Using State Hospital Discharge Data to Compare Readmission Rates in Medicare Advantage and Medicare’s Traditional Fee-for-Service Program (Full Report; Summary)
The latest in a series of studies comparing MA and FFS enrollees’ health care outcomes uses new data from nine states’ publicly available hospital discharge data from AHRQ and the states of Texas and Pennsylvania. Reductions in risk-adjusted hospital readmission rates averaged 14-29 percent among Medicare Advantage enrollees, depending on the readmission rate measure used, compared with FFS enrollees.

Update A Survey of Health Care Claims Receipt and Processing Times, 2009
AHIP’s periodic survey of claims receipt and payment timing, updating the most recent previous report published in May 2006.

Trends and Innovations in Disability Income Insurance: An Update from America’s Health Insurance Plans
Highlights of disability insurers’ creative programs to help employees and employers overcome multiple challenges and succeed in a difficult economy.

Working Paper: Comparisons of Utilization in Two Large Multi-State Medicare Advantage HMOs and Medicare Fee-for-Service in the Same Service Areas (Full Report; Slide)
This report is the second in a series of working papers comparing patterns of care among patients with Medicare Advantage (MA) coverage and in Medicare’s traditional fee-for-service (FFS) program. The comparisons presented in this report are based on data from two large, multi-state MA HMO plans and Medicare’s FFS 5 percent sample claims files in the same operating areas. The utilization measures include hospital admissions and days, re-admissions, “potentially avoidable” admissions, as well as outpatient, emergency room (ER), and office visits.

Reductions in Hospital Days, Re-Admissions, and Potentially Avoidable Admissions Among Medicare Advantage Enrollees in California and Nevada, 2006 (Full Report; Slides)
Seniors in Medicare Advantage spent fewer days in a hospital, were subject to fewer hospital re-admissions, and were less likely to have "potentially avoidable" admissions for common conditions ranging from uncontrolled diabetes to dehydration, on a risk-adjusted basis, according to a new analysis of publicly available data from AHRQ.

Individual Health Insurance 2009: A Comprehensive Survey of Premiums, Availability, and Benefits
The latest in a series of AHIP surveys shows that the market for individually purchased coverage is more affordable and accessible than may be widely known.

Low-Income & Rural Beneficiaries with Medigap Coverage, 2007
Data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey continue to serve as a reminder of the critical role played by Medigap coverage, especially for low- and moderate-income beneficiaries, and those living in rural areas.

Low-Income & Minority Beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage Plans, 2007
Data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey show that Medicare Advantage plans continue to be a vital source of coverage for low-income beneficiaries.

Working Paper: A Preliminary Comparison of Utilization Measures Among Diabetes and Heart Disease Patients in Eight Regional Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Fee-for-Service in the Same Service Areas (Full Report; Slides)
This report describes a new effort to compare patterns of care among patients in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and in Medicare’s traditional fee-for-service (FFS) program. The utilization measures include hospital admissions and days, re-admissions, “potentially avoidable” admissions, as well as outpatient, emergency room (ER), and office visits. Health status data include markers for 70 claims-based diagnosis code groupings. (Revised September 2009)

A Survey of Charges Billed By Out-of-Network Physicians
This report provides a snapshot, state-by-state, of exorbitant charges billed by out-of-network physicians in the 30 largest states by population.

An Analysis of the Distribution of Cost-Sharing Levels in Individual and Small-Group Coverage
Changes in Health Care Financing & Organization at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and AcademyHealth publish new report based on AHIP Center for Policy and Research data.

Working Paper: An Illustration of the Impact on Hospitals in California of a Government-Run Health Plan that Pays Medicare Fee-for-Service Rates
Analysis of the finances of California hospitals from the state’s Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) suggests substantial net losses for hospitals from a large-scale switch to Medicare’s fee-for-service (FFS) payment rates, even if their losses from the uninsured were eliminated.

January 2009 Census Shows 8 Million People Covered By HSA Qualified High-Deductible Health Plans
An annual census by America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) of U.S. health insurance carriers shows that the number of people covered by health savings accounts/high-deductible health plans (HSA/HDHPs) totaled 8.0 million in January 2009. As in previous years, AHIP received participation from virtually all private health insurance carriers in the HSA/HDHP market for this census. This census does not include coverage associated with health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), which are most commonly offered in the large-group market.

Estimated Income Characteristics of HSA Accountholders in 2008
In the summer of 2008, AHIP initiated a long-term project to allow detailed analysis of financial activity in health savings accounts (HSAs). For the original study, five bank trustees of HSAs provided de-identified data on a total of over one million HSA accounts with activity in 2007 and 2008. For this follow-up study, the responding banks used a geo-coding technique to estimate the income characteristics of those HSA accountholders, which allows analysis of account balances, inflows and outflows by income range.

Innovations in Recognizing and Rewarding Quality
Review of innovative approaches that health plans have taken to advance the quality and efficiency of care.

Small Group Health Insurance in 2008: A Comprehensive Survey of Premiums, Product Choices, and Benefits.
Premium and benefit data from more than 761,000 small groups (those with 50 or fewer employees), reflecting 5 million workers and 3.9 million dependents with coverage as of January 2008. This survey is an update to AHIP's 2006 survey of the small group market.

A Preliminary Analysis of Health Savings Account Balances, Contributions and Withdrawals 2007 & January-June 2008
A comprehensive study of financial activity in health savings accounts (HSAs). Data collected from five large banks contain detailed account information of more than 1.1 million HSA accounts that have been open as of June 30, 2008.

Innovations in Prevention and Wellness
Overview of health plans' innovative programs to prevent disease and improve the health of members and their communities.

Low-Income & Rural Beneficiaries with Medigap Coverage, 2006
Data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey continue to serve as a reminder of the critical role played by Medigap coverage, especially for low- and moderate-income beneficiaries, and those living in rural areas.

Low-Income & Minority Beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage Plans, 2006
Data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey show that Medicare Advantage plans continue to be a vital source of coverage for low-income beneficiaries.

Trends and Innovations in Health Information Technology: An Update from America's Health Insurance Plans
Highlights of health plans' IT initiatives to improve health care quality and efficiency.

An Update on State External Review Programs, 2006
This report provides an analysis of publicly available data from state external review programs operating in 2006.

Technical Memo: Estimates of the Potential Reduction in Health Care Costs from AHIP’s Affordability Proposals
A detailed explanation of the estimates by AHIP and PricewaterhouseCoopers of AHIP's proposals to improve the affordability of health care.

January 2008 Census Shows 6.1 Million People Covered by HSA/High-Deductible Health Plans (Full Report; Slides)
AHIP's latest census of the HSA/HDHP market shows continued growth in coverage, especially in the small-group market, and includes enrollment totals by state.

Trends and Innovations in Chronic Disease Prevention & Treatment: An Update on Medicare Advantage Plans
An overview of key trends in chronic care, highlighting Medicare Advantage plans' recent innovations.

Health Affairs Marketwatch--Medigap Coverage and Medicare Spending: A Second Look (Full Report; Policy Brief)
New study shows Medigap coverage may have a smaller impact on Medicare spending than previously thought.

Trends in Medigap Policies, December 2004 to December 2006
Number of Medigap Policyholders Has Remained Steady in Recent Years

Individual Health Insurance 2006-2007: A Comprehensive Survey of Premiums, Availability, and Benefits
The latest in a series of AHIP surveys shows that the market for individually purchased coverage is more affordable and accessible than may be widely known.

AHIP Releases Guaranteed Access Proposal for the Individual Market

A Survey of Preventive Benefits in Health Savings Account (HSA) Plans, July 2007
Most HSA Plans Provide First-Dollar Coverage for Recommended Preventive Care

Health Insurance: Overview and Economic Impact in the States, 2007
A compendium of reference information on health insurance in the states.

A New Generation of Behavioral Health Coverage: Perspectives from Interviews with Medical Leaders
A snapshot of health insurance plans' latest tools to promote excellence in behavioral health care.

Who Buys Long-Term Care Insurance? A 15-Year Study of Buyers and Non-Buyers
While people continue to purchase LTC insurance for multiple reasons, in 2005, the single most important reason for purchase was to protect assets.

AHIP Quality and Safety Proposal
AHIP advances a new national strategy to improve health care quality and patient safety.

January 2007 Census Shows 4.5 Million People Covered by HSA/High-Deductible Health Plans (Full Report; Slides)
Health Savings Account/HDHP enrollment continues to grow in both the Individual and Group Markets.

Innovations in Chronic Care
A compendium of health plan programs to improve quality of life for members with cancer, chronic pain, depression, asthma, diabetes, and other chronic conditions, and to address obesity among children and adults.

Low-Income and Rural Beneficiaries with Medigap Coverage, 2004 (Overview; Full Report)
Data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey serve as a reminder of the critical role played by Medigap coverage, especially for low- and moderate-income beneficiaries, and those living in rural areas.

Low-Income and Minority Beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage Plans, 2004 (Overview; Full Report)
Data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey show that Medicare Advantage plans were a vital source of coverage for low-income beneficiaries.

Long-Term Care Partnerships: New Choices for Consumers -- Potential Savings for Federal and State Government
As more people purchase private LTC Partnership policies, the long-run outlook for Medicaid costs will improve.

Health Cost Trend Remains Stable at 7-8 Percent (Full Report; Slides)

Overall health costs have stabilized at an annual growth rate of about 7.5 percent, according to the Center for Studying Health System Change. Meanwhile, several surveys report that premiums or costs for employer-based coverage rose by between 6 and 8 percent in 2006.

Health Insurance: Overview and Economic Impact in the States, 2006
A compendium of reference information on health insurance in the states.

Universal Health Accounts: A Portable Mechanism to Expand Access

AHIP releases proposal to expand health insurance coverage.

AHIP Federal Access Proposal
AHIP State Reform Principles
Survey of Americans on AHIP Health Coverage Access Proposals

A Survey of Medigap Enrollment Trends, July 2006

AHIP member survey tracks enrollment in Medicare Supplemental (Medigap) Insurance coverage from January 2003 to July 2006.

Small Group Health Insurance in 2006: A Comprehensive Survey of Premiums, Consumer Choices, and Benefits (Full Report; Slides)

A comprehensive survey of member companies offering coverage in the small group health insurance market, with premium and benefit data from more than 650,000 small groups covering 4 million workers and 3.2 million dependents.

HSAs and Account-Based Health Plans

An Overview of Preliminary Research

An Updated Survey of Health Care Claims Receipt and Processing Times

Electronic submission of health insurance claims more than tripled in the last decade, reducing administrative costs and allowing 98 percent of claims to be processed within 30 days of receipt.

January 2006 Census Shows 3.2 Million People Covered By HSA Plans (Full Report; Summary; Slides)

A census of AHIP members shows enrollment in Health Savings Account (HSA) Plans tripled in ten months

An Analysis of the Recommendations of the President’s Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform

Update on State External Review Programs

This report provides an analysis of publicly available data from state external review programs operating in 2003 and 2004.

Innovations in Health Information Technology

An in-depth report on health insurance plans' latest IT solutions in areas such as e-prescribing, digital radiology, online decision support, electronic health records (EHRs), and personal health records (PHRs).

Individual Health Insurance: A Comprehensive Survey of Affordability, Access, and Benefits

A comprehensive survey of AHIP members shows that individually purchased major medical insurance was more affordable and accessible than may be widely known, and offered a broad array of benefits.

Guide to Health Care Spending Accounts

Answers to frequently asked questions about HSAs, HRAs, FSAs, and MSAs

Health Cost Trend Stabilized at About 8 Percent in 2004

The Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) estimates that growth in prescription drug spending declined to about 7 percent in 2004. Meanwhile, spending for hospital care and outpatient surgical and diagnostic services grew by 10 percent.

Low-Income and Rural Beneficiaries with Medigap Coverage, 2002 (Full Report; Summary)

Data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey serve as a reminder of the critical role played by Medigap coverage, especially for low- and moderate-income beneficiaries, and those living in rural areas.

Low-Income and Minority Beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage Plans, 2002 (Full report; Summary)

Data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey show that Medicare Advantage plans were a vital source of coverage for low-income beneficiaries.

Number of HSA Plans Exceeded One Million in March 2005 (Full Report; Summary; Slides)

A census of AHIP members shows enrollment in Health Savings Account (HSA) plans doubled in six months.

Commentary: A Cautionary Note on the Number of Health-Related Bankruptcies

The research in Health Affairs doesn't come close to supporting claims that half of all bankruptcies are "caused" by medical debts.

Medicaid Innovations

Health insurance plans are implementing a multitude of creative programs to improve quality and efficiency in Medicaid.

Perspective: Administrative Costs of Private Health Insurance Plans

Over the last four decades, the administrative costs of private health insurance have remained steady at about 12 percent.

Health Savings Accounts Off To a Fast Start in the Individual Market (Full Report; Slides)

Preliminary data from AHIP members show 438,000 people covered by September 2004.

Comparison of Tax Advantaged Health Care Spending Accounts

This comprehensive comparison chart provides an overview, as well as detailed features of Archer MSAs, HSAs, FSAs, HRAs.

Center for Studying Health System Change Identifies Hospital Prices as a Key Cost Driver; Rx Drug Spending Slowing

Health cost trends have moderated, but still outpace economic growth.

CBO's Analysis of Potential Savings from Disease Management Programs in Medicare

The latest data indicate that disease management programs can reduce the overall cost of health care, in addition to improving quality and patient outcomes.

AHIP Report: "Medicaid Managed Care Cost Savings - A Synthesis of Fourteen Studies"

According to the Lewin Group's review of 14 studies, Medicaid managed care has saved states up to 19% compared with fee-for-service Medicaid.

A Look at the U.S. Group Dental Market: Trends and Opportunities

This survey report explores a variety of topics: benefit provisions, managed dental plans, dual choice or employee benefit choice dental plans, underwriting, technology, and distribution methods.

Research Findings: Long Term Care Insurance in 2002

This survey measures the growth of the long-term care insurance industry and monitors the evolution of long-term care insurance products.

A Chartbook of Findings: 2002 AHIP Survey of Health Insurance Plans

This chartbook contains findings from the 2002 AHIP Survey of Health Insurance Plans conducted by AHIP. The report covers timely issues such as: prevention and wellness services, disease management, mental health services, patient safety, e-commerce.