title: Premium increases in state health insurance programs: lessons from a case study of the Massachusetts Medicaid buy-in program.
abstract: In March 2003, Massachusetts increased the premiums it charges to most enrollees in its CommonHealth-Working (CH-W) program. This study evaluates the impact of the premium change on disenrollment using a comparison group methodology. The findings indicate that the premium change had only a small, but statistically significant impact on program exits. The CH-W experience differs from other state programs that saw substantial enrollment declines in response to new or increased premiums. This is likely due to factors that make CH-W different from other programs, key of which are administrative procedures intended to minimize disenrollment due to premium nonpayment.
authors.affiliation: Mathematica Policy Research, 600 Maryland Ave. S.W., Suite 550, Washington, DC 20024, USA. glivermore@mathematica-mpr.com
authors.forename: Gina A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Livermore
authors.forename: Nanette
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Goodman
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hooven
authors.forename: Lobat
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hashemi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017047:Cost Sharing / Q000191:economics*; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D008484:Medicaid / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D008875:Middle Aged; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013221:State Health Plans / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States