MD, D.C. tap outside consultants to adopt changes in health law

The Affordable Care Act is proving to be a boon for professional services firms, with Maryland and the District awarding millions of dollars in contracts to health care consulting and actuarial firms to study and advise on ACA-related provisions, including creating state-run health insurance exchanges. About 75 contracts have been awarded nationally in connection with various parts of the federal healthcare law, and between 40 and 45 of those are related to setting up health insurance exchanges, according to Herndon-based Deltek, which analyzes the contracting market. Maryland and D.C. have signed at least 12 contracts with consulting and actuarial firms, as well as a university, for work related to the Affordable Care Act, according to Deltek.