Consumers for Quality Care Releases Advocate’s Guide to Standardized Health Plans

By Consumers For Quality Care, on March 11, 2021

Consumers for Quality Care Releases Advocate’s Guide to Standardized Health Plans

For Immediate Release
March 11, 2021
Contact: Press@Consumers4QualityCare.org

Researchers from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy joined CQC for release event

WASHINGTON, D.C – Today Consumers for Quality Care (CQC) released an Advocate’s Guide to Standardized Health Plans to help patient and consumer advocates understand existing approaches to the development and implementation of standardized cost-sharing designs in individual market health insurance​. You can view the guide here.

CQC hosted a live virtual event with the guide’s authors who specialize in health policy issues, including access, affordability and adequacy of coverage:

  • Dania Palanker, D., M.P.P, Assistant Research Professor, McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University
  • Justin Giovannelli, J.D., M.P.P, Associate Research Professor, McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University
  • Kevin Lucia, J.D., M.H.P, Research Professor, McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University
  • JoAnn Volk, M.A., Research Professor, McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University

“In addition to simplifying plan choices , standardized plans can offer consumers higher value plan options ” said Dania Palanker, Assistant Research Professor at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and the study’s lead author. “However, designing an affordable standardized plan that works well for everyone is challenging and requires some trade-offs in benefits and other design features.”

“CQC’s Advocacy Guide to Standardized Health Plans is an important tool for patient and consumer groups as it takes an in-depth look at the states that currently offer standardized plans and identifies how consumer advocates can be prepared to engage in plan formation moving forward,” said CQC Board Member and former Member of Congress, Donna Christensen. “With a new administration there may be opportunity to revisit federal rules on standardized plans and I am pleased we can offer this guide as a roadmap for advocate’s wishing to engage in the conversation.”

The research found that advocates can have a stronger role in benefit design by having a clear goal at the outset, being prepared to talk about trade-offs, engaging with the actuarial analysis, and embracing a transparent process. More information can be found here.

ABOUT

Consumers for Quality Care (CQC) is a coalition of advocates and former policymakers working to provide a voice for patients in the health care debate as they demand better care. CQC is led by a board of directors that includes the Honorable Donna Christensen, physician and former Member of Congress; Jim Manley, former senior advisor to Senators Edward Kennedy and Harry Reid; and Jason Resendez, community advocate, and health care strategist. To learn more about Consumers for Quality Care and the issues consumers are experiencing, visit http://www.consumers4qualitycare.org/.