Evaluating the Implementation, Adoption and Outcomes of the Rhode Island HealthPact Plans

This study will evaluate the adoption, implementation, and outcomes of the HEALTHpact plan in Rhode Island, a small group plan with two levels of coverage based on several healthy living pledges. The study will use key informant interviews to identify a variety of different issues that have contributed to low enrollment in the program.  In addition, this study will evaluate the design and implementation of Rhode Island's Global Consumer Choice Compact Waiver, which is the first federal waiver to "block grant" Medicaid for a state.  The research team will conduct in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, review pertinent documents, and observe relevant hearings and meetings in order to accomplish two goals: (1) Understand the circumstances that led to the Global Waiver proposal, its design, and its approval by the federal government; and (2) assess the very early implementation of the waiver itself, including an analysis of the spending cap and the risks the state assumed in agreeing to the cap in exchange for the waiver.

Publications

Affordability of Health Insurance to Small Business: Implications of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
(June 2011, Article)

The Influence of Benefit Design on Coverage Expansion Initiatives: Impact on Coverage Take-Up and care Utilization
(March 2011, Webinar)

Small Group Health Insurance Reform in Rhode Island: Promises and Pitfalls of the HEALTHpact Plan
(February 2011, Article)

Rhode Island's HEALTHpact Plan: Lessons for Small-Group Reform
(March 2010, Issue Brief)

Rhode Island's HEALTHpact Plan: Lessons for Small-Group Reform
(March 2010, Report)