Author: Michael Bertaut
Healthcare Economist Michael Bertaut (BURR-toe) is a Certified Health Consultant and Professional of the Academy of Healthcare Management. He has more than 30 years of analytical experience in the healthcare, telecom and retail industry sectors. On the ground in D.C. when the healthcare reform law (PPACA) was written, Michael has taken part in more than 1,100 public discussions on healthcare costs and the impact of reform since 2009. Mike is a fellow of the Academy of Applied Politics at Louisiana State University, and author of this Hermes Award winning healthcare blog. Michael earned his MBA and BA from Louisiana State University and just celebrated his 35th year as a cancer survivor. Michael is recognized as a national commentator on healthcare reform, quoted in the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and state and local publications. He is a regular guest on the Talk Louisiana radio show.

Category: ACA and Policy, Cost of Healthcare, Health Insurance

Looking for the Healthcare System? Easier to find Unicorns, Vampires, Zombies and Werewolves!

I’m always struck by the amount of time, energy and literature that is devoted to creating alternative worlds, with alternative goals, objectives and creatures. Next time you wander through your local bookstore, pay close attention to how large the Fantasy sections are, and you’ll start to get a feel for the level of effort. Did you know some 3,000 years ago Greek literature described the first unicorn as a native of India?

Category: ACA and Policy, Cost of Healthcare, Government Programs, Health Insurance

Reality Check: What’s Happening Today to the Healthcare Law?

There is a lot of doom and gloom out there right now about what is going to happen to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) under a Republican president with a Republican majority in Congress. So, what is really happening, and what can you expect?

Category: ACA and Policy, Cost of Healthcare, Health and Wellness, Health Insurance

Instability = Uncertainty = Expense: Health Insurance marketplaces need immediate attention

One thing you learn if you work around insurance for a while is that instability and unpredictability drive everybody’s costs up. A lot. And it turns out it doesn’t matter if that’s car insurance, homeowners insurance, life insurance or health insurance.

Category: ACA and Policy, Cost of Healthcare, Government Programs, Health Insurance

Personalities Matter! (Even at the Federal Level)

Now that we have a new President-Elect, Donald Trump, a pretty huge amount of uncertainty has filtered into the healthcare (and health insurance) business.

That Was a Surprise. With President Trump, what happens to my healthcare?

Category: ACA and Policy, Cost of Healthcare, Government Programs, Health Insurance

So, THAT was a surprise! With President Trump, What Happens to My Health Insurance?

I have been pummeled with many, many different reactions since the Nov. 8 election and more questions than I can shake a stick at. I suspect my next few blog posts will be about roughly these same topics. But, before we dive into the questions, let me tell you a bit of what I’ve figured out so far about the future of health insurance and the Affordable Care Act (healthcare reform law).

Category: ACA and Policy, Cost of Healthcare, Health Insurance

The Federal Role in Benefit Design in Individual Health Insurance: Are You Better Off?

Note from Mike: I’m sifting through the information coming out about the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, Medicare and healthcare in a Trump presidency. I’ll be back soon to offer my take on it, but in the meantime, see this Q&A on what Blue Cross is doing right now.

In my last blog post, I gave details about how much rates for individual customers’ health insurance are going up next year and why. I promised do a future blog about not just how much premiums cost, but how much financial protection the federally-designed products for 2017 give the average customer. This may get a bit wonky, so please bear with me as you go through.