Spread Risk
-people contribute to a common pool an amount at least equal to the average expected cost resulting from use of covered services by the group as a whole.
Pure risk
risk in which loss is the only possible outcome
Speculative risk
risk resulting in uncertain degree of gain or loss
Community rating
everyone pays the same premium
Experience rating
premiums are based on demographic information, past medical use, family history, etc.
Rate bands
set limits on the amounts that insurers can vary premiums based on health status
Cherry picking
business policies of picking out profitable customers from a large base
Redlining
business policies of denying coverage to individuals that are expected to be more expensive, based on
-occupations
-past use of services
- past use of medications
Information asymmetry
between what consumers know compared to what insurers know gives consumers an advantage when looking for coverage that will meet their future demand for health care.
moral hazard
people are aware that the risk is transferred to the insurer so they over-consume resources
deductibles, co-payments, co-insurance
What is used to increase patient out-of-pocket costs and reduce healthcare utilization?
Caps/ceilings
coverage limitation that puts a ceiling on how many benefits will covered per year
Coverage decisions
cosmetic surgeries, elective procedures, and fertility treatments not usually covered
elimination periods
-insurance companies can reuse to pay for services unless the beneficiary is enrolled for a certain period of time. For example, they may require patients be enrolled for 2 years before they cover maternal care costs.
Pre-exisiting conditions
-some companies will refuse to pay for conditions that were diagnosed before enrollment. This is not legal since ACA. of 2010.
Prior Authorization
requires approval from insurance before service is provided
Second opinions
requires an opinion from a second healthcare provider before service is provided.
Pre-certification
requires a healthcare provider to certify that the service is needed.