Worcester Business Journal

F allon Health and other smaller Massachusetts-based health insurers have been raising objections and concerns about a provision in the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) that imposes multi-million-dollar risk assessments on them to be paid to bigger providers. Paymets under those assessments are due by the end of this month. Insurers across the country are now submit- ting proposed 2016 premiums to their state regulators for approval on federal exchanges. Until final premium adjustments are approved by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance, the jury is still out on how the risk-assessment for- mulas will affect the ability of the smaller plans to offer lower-cost health plan options to small businesses. (The 2016 plan coverage year for Massachusetts' small-business group plans runs from Oct. 1, 2015 through Sept. 30, 2016.) The risk-assessment payments for some plans, including Fallon, represent a significant portion of their overall annual premiums. Fallon must dedicate 90 percent of its premium reve- nue to medical services and activities for patient care. Louis Gutierrez, executive director of the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Make room for a new form of capitalism 21 Seven Hills Foundation's David Jordan extols 'social business.' WBJ >> To Subscribe Central Massachusetts' Source for Business News July 20, 2015 Volume 26 Number 16 www.wbjournal.com $2.00 Q&A with Michael Detarando of Incom Inc., Charlton Shop Talk 8 FOCUS: Life sciences In war on cancer, Central Mass. joins battle through development of individual therapies. Reaching rainbow High court's ruling on same-sex marriage reinforces efforts by Central Mass. businesses to tune in to LGBT issues Whether it's companies lobbying for transgender equality in the workplace or a law firm publishing a blog that address- es legal issues specific to the community, businesses are saying it's the right thing to do, and not just to avoid legal issues. Companies are addressing inclusion inside and outside the workplace. Internally, employers are establishing policies and relying on diverse groups of employees as resources. Outside the company, businesses are working to show their support of LGBT citizens. While Massachusetts has legal requirements around inclusion in the workplace, many companies are going beyond them. For example, internal efforts toward inclusion at Staples are aimed not just at LGBT workers, but also other groups such as African-Americans, with the goal of making the work envi- ronment more comfortable for all. Strictly from an employee efficiency standpoint, having employees feel com- fortable at work will make them more productive, said Erika Hopkins, who leads Staples' efforts focusing on inclu- sion and diversity. "It's aspirational — what do we want to look like and be like and represent (us) as a business?" Hopkins said. "It's far more than checking a box … for us it's not about compliance, it's about what kind of company do you have and want to work for." She explained that the Framingham- based office supplies retailer has tried to remain ahead of the curve with LGBT policies nationwide. For instance, the company has offered the same benefits to heterosexual and gay married couples since 2005. Part of that is not just policy. It comes via feedback from groups of employees. W hen the U.S. Supreme Court pronounced same-sex marriage legal last month, businesses sprang into action on social media and their websites. Amid the flurry of rainbow-colored messages in support of the decision were those from businesses that changed their logos and created messages of support to celebrate the occasion. These very public expressions underscore businesses' increasing degree of inclusion of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, or LGBT, community. BY SAM BONACCI Worcester Business Journal Staff Writer >> Continued on Page 10 >> Continued on Page 10 12 David Przesiek of Fallon Health: Federal risk assessment serves as a disincentive for insurers. Health insurers, business battle feds over risk-rating factors W W W . D R E A M S T I M E . C O M BY CHRISTINA P. O'NEILL Special to the Worcester Business Journal

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