Q: What challenges do you anticipate your particular state running into with upcoming health care reform provisions?
Wayne Goodwin: So far, North Carolina seems to have fared better than some other states when implementing federal health care reform provisions, in that we already have the authority to begin implementing reform. Because of this, we were able to start right away and meet the short deadlines for initial implementation. Future challenges will include setting up the health benefit exchange system in a relatively short period of time. For example, to establish a health benefit exchange, the NC Department of Insurance will need to work with other state agencies and interested parties to present recommendations to the state legislature in early spring 2011. Legislative changes in 2011 are necessary in order to have enough time to set up and have the health benefit exchange system available for consumers beginning in 2014.
Q: For producers licensed to sell health insurance in your state, what developments might they look out for?
WG: We do recognize the role of the producer helping consumers select the most suitable product to meet their needs. Producer experiences are valuable, and they are participating in discussions looking at how the service they provide helps consumers and adds value to the selection process.
Q: What should producers concentrate on the most over the next 10 years with regard to health care reform's effects in North Carolina?
WG: I think producers need to focus on their clients' needs and the importance of educating clients about health insurance policies. The entire industry will be working toward improving plain-language explanations and transparency in the insurance process, and I feel producers should serve an increased role in helping consumers understand insurance issues.
Q: Is your state doing anything differently or preparing in any special way for health care reform?
WG: The NC Department of Insurance will be seeking additional authority levels for prior approval of health insurance rates. We will also work to streamline our review process, improve our communications with consumers and reorganize our agency so that we are well-equipped to administer the consumer ombudsmen program.
Q: What did you get out of President Obama's recent meeting with several state regulators?
WG: Yes – I was fortunate enough to attend the White House meeting with President Obama on Sept. 23. It was a very exciting and humbling day for me, personally, because the president specifically congratulated me on North Carolina's recent announcement that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina will be refunding $155.8 million back to individual health insurance policyholders because of reform-related developments.
Wayne Goodwin was first elected as North Carolina's Insurance Commissioner in 2008. He previously served as the assistant insurance commissioner for four years. As insurance commissioner, he focuses on consumer advocacy through fair rate-making, injury prevention efforts, and close regulation of insurance company solvency and industry practices.
More state insurance regulator Q&As:
North Carolina Facts At-A-Glance
| North Carolina | United States | |
| Demographics | ||
| Total population | 9,230,400 | 303,343,300 |
| Median annual income | $43,229 | $49.945 |
| Health costs and budget | ||
| Health spending per capita | $5,191 | $5,283 (by state of residence) |
| Average employee contribution for family premium (% of total premium) | 30% | 27% |
| Health coverage | ||
| Uninsured population (% of total population) | 17% | 17% |
| Uninsured children (% of children) | 11% | 10% |
| Medicaid enrollment (% of total population) | 18% | 19% |
| Medicare enrollment (% of total population) | 16% | 15% |
| Monthly CHIP enrollment, June 2009 | 129,973 | 4,966,030 |
| Health status | ||
| Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) | 8.5 | 6.8 |
| Teen death rate (per 100,000 population) | 67 | 62 |
| AIDS diagnosis rate (per 100,000 population) | 12.5 | 12.3 |
| Overweight or obese children (% of children) | 33.5% | 31.6% |
| Adults who visited the dentist/clinic (% of adults) | 68.5% | 71.3% |
| Adults with disabilities (% of adults) | 13.0% | 12.1% |
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts
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