Exchanges fear churn and burn

Public exchange managers are thinking about issues that could cause headaches even after enrollment and administration systems work properly.

One recurring issue is “churn,” or movement between one coverage state and another.

The board of Connect for Health Colorado looked at the issue this week at a meeting.

Churn could include moves between public and private coverage; between group and individual coverage; or between having coverage and not, according to a presentation prepared by Jessica Dunbar, the exchange eligibility director.

Drafters of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act tried to expand access to coverage, but they didn’t guarantee enrollees right to stay in the same plan for an extended period.