Regulation of Narrow Provider Networks: State Protections Take on Added Significance
<p>Though health insurance markets face an uncertain future, one preelection trend is set to continue: the growing number of health plans with narrow provider networks.</p><p>In a new <em>To the Point</em> post, Georgetown University’s Justin Giovannelli and Ashley Williams say that while narrow network plans are popular with insurers and are frequently selected by consumers, people don’t always have reliable information to help them decide whether a plan’s network will meet their needs. Concerns also persist about the ability of such plans to provide timely access to care. </p>
<p>The Affordable Care Act established a baseline federal standard for provider access in marketplace health plans. But given states’ wide latitude on network issues, it will be important, the authors say, to monitor how these consumer protections are ensured. </p>