Author Archive: CHIR Faculty
Stakeholders Weigh in on a Proposal that Could Expand Adult Dental Coverage
The final Notice of Benefits and Payment Parameters for plan year 2025 is expected soon. The proposed rule included a provision that would permit states to require coverage of adult dental services as part of the Essential Health Benefits. As part of a CHIRblog series on Marketplace dental benefits, CHIR reviewed comments submitted in response to this proposal by select stakeholder groups.
States Expand Access to Affordable Private Coverage for Immigrant Populations
In the United States, immigrants are disproportionately likely to be uninsured. This disparity stems from systemic inequalities such as legal barriers to affordable coverage for noncitizens—especially undocumented immigrants. While state efforts to provide Medicaid-equivalent benefits to some populations of undocumented residents have helped expand access to coverage, many low- and moderate-income undocumented residents remain without affordable health insurance options. In a recent post for the Commonwealth Fund’s To the Point blog, CHIR’s Justin Giovannelli and Rachel Schwab explore recent state actions to fill this gap.
February Research Roundup: What We’re Reading
No Surprises Act: Exploring the Impact on Employees, Employers and Costs
On March 7, CHIR hosted the second event in a series of policy briefings on the future of employer-sponsored health insurance, sponsored by Arnold Ventures. This event, featuring remarks from Congressman “Bobby” Scott and a panel discussion moderated by Julie Appleby of KFF Health News, focused on the No Surprises Act’s impact on consumers and implementation challenges associated with the independent dispute resolution process.
Report Shows Dispute Resolution Process in No Surprises Act Favors Providers
Last month, the Biden administration reported on independent dispute resolution (IDR) cases resolved under the No Surprises Act in the first half of 2023. In a new post for the Commonwealth Fund, CHIR’s Jack Hoadley and Kevin Lucia analyze the IDR data and what it means for patients, providers, payers, and health care costs.
Health Care Sharing Ministries Leave Consumers with Unpaid Medical Claims
Last year, Colorado became the first state to require comprehensive data from all health care sharing ministries (HCSMs) selling memberships in the state. In a post for the Commonwealth Fund, CHIR’s JoAnn Volk and Justin Giovannelli, along with attorney and health policy consultant Christina L. Goe, take a look at data from Colorado’s first HCSM report.
Stakeholder Perspectives on CMS’s 2025 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters: State Insurance Departments and Marketplaces
In November, the Biden administration released the proposed Notice of Benefits and Payment Parameters for plan year 2025, an annual rule setting standards for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplaces and health insurers. For CHIR’s third and final blog summarizing stakeholder comments on the proposed rule, Maanasa Kona and Rachel Schwab reviewed letters submitted by state insurance departments and state-based Marketplaces.
Stakeholder Perspectives on CMS’s 2025 Notice of Benefits and Payment Parameters: Consumer Advocates
The Biden administration will soon finalize its annual rulemaking for the Affordable Care Act Marketplaces. To better understand the impact of the proposed changes, CHIR reviewed the public comments submitted by key stakeholder groups. In the second post in a 3-part blog series, CHIR’s Karen Davenport and Emma Walsh-Alker review the feedback provided by consumer advocates.