Neil Rosacker supports clients with research and analysis that span a variety of healthcare sectors and stakeholders.
With experience in value-based initiatives and strategic communications, he advises clients around healthcare policy implications for business.
Neil has previous experience in the U.S. Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, where he assisted in researching and drafting communications plans for healthcare related issues, including hospital value-based purchasing. Prior to that, he provided legislative support at Strategic Health Care, researching and drafting memos on health legislation and regulation from the 114th Congress, including the 21st Century Cures Act.
Neil has a BA in international affairs from The George Washington University.
Authored Content
Compared to other drivers of state budget pressures during the COVID-19 pandemic—including higher Medicaid program enrollment due to increased unemployment and lower state tax revenues as a result of economic shutdowns—the relative financial impact of COVID-19 therapeutics on state Medicaid budgets will likely be minimal.
Avalere analysis of Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) hospital stay claims with associated COVID-19 diagnoses finds that total US healthcare system costs for hospitalizations due to COVID-19 could range from $9.6B to $16.9B in 2020.
As control of the Medicaid drug benefit continues to shift from managed care organizations to states, manufacturers should understand unique benefit dynamics in each state, particularly as Medicaid enrollment is likely to increase amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Avalere analysis finds that former Vice President Joe Biden’s proposal to lower the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 60 could increase access to Medicare coverage for an additional 23 million individuals.
Ahead of the Super Tuesday primaries on March 3, healthcare remains a top issue among voters. According to January 2020 polling from Bipartisan Policy Center, 56% of individuals ranked healthcare as one of their top 3 issues when determining how to vote in the upcoming election, above the economy (44%), immigration (33%), taxes (31%), gun control (30%), and environmental policy (23%).
New Avalere analysis finds that 76% of uninsured individuals lawfully present in the 14 Super Tuesday states are currently eligible for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or exchange plan subsidies.
As the early presidential primaries unfold, healthcare remains a top issue among voters. As recently as the November Democratic primary debate, polls showed that 24% of Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents said healthcare was the number one issue they wanted to hear discussed, ahead of the environment (12%), immigration (6%), jobs and the economy (5%), education (4%), and gun control (4%).
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Healthy Adult Opportunity, a new Section 1115 demonstration initiative allowing states to shift toward capped Medicaid financing models with an opportunity for shared savings. If the option is chosen by states, it could be the largest change to Medicaid since the ACA.
New analysis from Avalere finds that over 96% of counties with exchanges operated by HealthCare.gov have free plan options for low-income consumers.
Continuing analysis from Avalere finds that state reinsurance programs reduce individual market premiums by 16.9% on average in their first year, relative to estimated premiums without reinsurance.
The Center for American Progress (CAP) commissioned Avalere to evaluate ‘Medicare Extra’ as a package of reform polices implemented and phased in over time across the US healthcare system.
On May 3, the Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, in partnership with other Department of Health and Human Services agencies, released a request for information (RFI) from stakeholders on strategies for the development of a Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Federal Action Plan, an initiative designed to address the domestic STD public health epidemic.
On April 5, CMS issued guidance announcing a voluntary, 2-year demonstration that would modify the Part D risk corridors if the proposed rule to revise the Anti-Kickback Statute safe harbors is effective for 2020.
An April 9 hearing before the Senate Finance Committee entitled “Drug Pricing in America: A Prescription for Change” included discussion related to cost-sharing for preventive services in the Medicare Part D.
On April 9, Avalere policy experts published a piece in the Health Affairs blog about the administration’s recently launched “Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America” initiative.
New analysis from Avalere finds that states with their own reinsurance programs reduce individual market premiums by 19.9% on average in their first year.
New analysis from Avalere finds that exchange plan sign-ups could decline by 1.1 million, while premiums could increase by 6.3%, by 2025 should HHS finalize recently proposed changes to auto-reenrollment in the exchange and the calculation of tax credit subsidies.
Ambiguous recommendations for preventive services are causing confusion among plans and providers on the clinically recommended preventive services that should be covered without cost sharing. A recent USPSTF recommendation on HIV prevention offers an opportunity to urge a recommending body to provide further clarity in its recommendation. Comments are due December 26.
New analysis from Avalere finds that over 95% of counties with exchanges operated by HealthCare.gov have free plan options for low-income consumers.
New analysis from Avalere finds that 2.7 million individuals from states that have not expanded Medicaid could gain Medicaid coverage should their newly elected governors decide to expand the program or states pass expansion referenda on their ballots.
MSSP and CMMI demonstrations vary in budgetary impact but generally show quality improvement.
Incentive payments in upside-only Medicare ACOs have increased federal costs, but data suggest that ACO experience and adoption of two-sided risk could constrain future Medicare costs.