Shaheen Concerned About Network Adequacy

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in a Jan 29 letter to “closely examine the provider network adequacy standards” for qualified health plans sold through health insurance marketplaces (exchanges). She also asked that the secretary provide more information to consumers regarding each plan’s network adequacy. In the letter, Shaheen noted that the sole insurer offering health plans through New Hampshire’s marketplace has eliminated 10 of the state’s 26 hospitals from its provider network. This exclusion has prevented patients from accessing their providers, which could disrupt continuity of care.