March 2021 Archives

Rookie Report: How did New Jersey and Pennsylvania State Marketplaces Fare in Their Inaugural Enrollment Period?

Posted March 24, 2021 by CHIR Faculty

After seven enrollment cycles on HealthCare.gov, New Jersey and Pennsylvania both launched new state marketplace websites in time for the latest Open Enrollment Period. Both states saw increases in marketplace enrollment over previous years. To understand how this transition went for Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents, and to extract potential lessons for the states that are transitioning to running their own marketplaces, we sought insight from people on the ground: consumer assisters.

The American Rescue Plan: What You Need to Know about Enhanced Premium Tax Credits

Posted March 19, 2021 by CHIR Faculty

President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act on March 11, 2021. The bill includes several provisions to expand people’s access to affordable, comprehensive coverage options. CHIR provides answers to frequently asked questions about the new law’s enhanced premium tax credits.

New Georgetown CHIR Report: Taking the Disputes out of Dispute Resolution

Posted March 17, 2021 by CHIR Faculty

The U.S. Congress enacted the No Surprises Act in 2020 to protect patients from surprise out-of-network medical bills. Now the federal agencies need to set up a process to resolve disputes between these providers and insurance companies. CHIR experts examine the experience in four states with similar dispute resolution programs and share lessons that can be applied at the national level.

American Rescue Plan Act Will Strengthen Public and Private Health Insurance

Posted March 11, 2021 by CHIR Faculty

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides the largest expansion of public and private health insurance coverage since the Affordable Care Act was enacted in 2010. CHIR’s Sabrina Corlette and the Georgetown Center for Children & Families’ Edwin Park break down its key provisions in a new explainer.

Removing Roadblocks: Special Enrollment Period Data Show Increase in Marketplace Signups

Posted March 9, 2021 by Rachel Schwab

Last month, the Biden administration established a temporary special enrollment period (SEP) on the federal health insurance marketplace in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In the first two weeks of the SEP, the federal marketplace saw a rise in enrollment activity, and the expansion of premium subsidies under the American Rescue Plan is expected to generate even greater enrollment increases. CHIR’s Rachel Schwab takes a look at how recent federal actions tap into the Affordable Care Act’s potential and expand its reach.

February Research Roundup: What We’re Reading

Posted March 8, 2021 by Nia Gooding

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, this February CHIR’s Nia Gooding reviewed some lovely studies on trends in the uninsured population, the impact of Medicaid expansion on coverage rates and healthcare access among young adults, and the effect that cost-sharing has on patient behavior and health outcomes.

Are the Good Times Over for Health Insurers?

Posted March 8, 2021 by Megan Houston

Insurer’s fourth quarter earnings showed a decline in profits after the surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations at the end of the year. CHIR’s Megan Houston considers how the pandemic has impacted health plans and how this fits into overall trends from the past year.