HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a leading provider of managed care industry intelligence, finds that the sharp decline in HMO membership in Oregon and Washington is slowing, while PPO growth is not as dramatic as in previous years.
According to the latest issue of the Oregon & Washington Health Plan Analysis from HealthLeaders-InterStudy, HMOs' share of the commercial market declined from 42.6% in January 2003 to 32.3% in January 2004, but dropped just a few percentage points to 28.9% by mid-2004. HMOs' market share went through an almost identical progression in Washington during the same period.
"HMOs have been evolving to include fewer restrictions, making them more attractive to consumers. As a result, the mix of HMO and PPO membership is stabilizing," said Micaela Brown, HealthLeaders-InterStudy analyst. "At the same time, employers are looking for gatekeeper features like utilization and care management."
Other Health Plan News in Oregon and Washington: * Washington and Oregon plans that have initiated pay-for-performance plans for physicians are reporting good cooperation and little pushback from the doctors involved. * Oregon's Insurance Pool Governing Board has created two new health plans aimed at small businesses that have previously been unable to afford health insurance for their employees. * Despite the heated partisanship in the Washington legislature, both Democrats and Republicans are sponsoring "pay-or-play" bills that would require employers to help fund health benefits for the uninsured. About HealthLeaders-InterStudy
HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a newly formed company of Decision Resources, Inc. (http://www.decisionresources.com/), is the authoritative source for managed care data, analysis, and news. For more information, please visit both Web sites at http://www.healthleaders.com/ and http://www.interstudypublications.com/.
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For more information, contact: Elizabeth Marshall Decision Resources 781-296-2563 emarshall@dresources.com
SOURCE: Decision Resources, Inc.
Contact: Elizabeth Marshall of Decision Resources, +1-781-296-2563,
emarshall@dresources.com