Network Adequacy Project
By Nathaniel Herz, Northern Journal, November 16, 2023
Jim Grazko, President Premerea Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska, "One change that would help limit the future spikes in the individual market is if the state could give insurers more flexibility in their plan design Grazko said. Currently, Alaska requires insurers to provide at least some coverage for services from providers even if they're outside the insurer's network, Grazko said. In Washington, Premera offers a plan with no out-of-network benefits that's 15% cheaper than an alternative plan with some out-of-network coverage. "That might be another way for consumers to have a choice of lower-cost options premium-wise, in exchange for maybe a narrower network or a little bit less choice on the provider side", he said."
ASMA is working on drafting legislation to establish network adequacy standards for Alaska that will provide patients with adequate inclusion of specialists and primary care physicians. The project team is led by Dr. Steve Compton under the direction of the ASMA Board, working closely with Kevin Jardell, ASMA’s lobbyist, and Jeff Davis, consultant, to shepherd the bill through the process. ASMA needs funding for this project.
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