Summary: One of the most effort-intensive activities required of states in order to be ready for the 2014 health insurance exchanges deadline is the development of information technology (IT) infrastructure. This report, by the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) and the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI), provides a review of the issues that policymakers should consider as they plan to build and enhance their own state-based technology infrastructures. It provides guidance based on the experiences of states most advanced in their Affordable Care Act IT implementation. Based on interviews with policy and technology leaders, five themes and takeaways arose as guidelines:
The report is a product of a NASI project funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to provide technical assistance to states developing health insurance exchanges. Related products include a toolkit offering legislative language for policymakers implementing Exchanges and issue briefs on Exchange governance, active purchasing, federally facilitated Exchanges, coordination with Medicaid and plan management.