CHIR Faculty

A Limited Extension for Insurance Enrollment: Precedents from Part D

Posted March 28, 2014 by CHIR Faculty

Recently, the Obama administration extended the enrollment period for people who’ve faced roadblocks in their attempts to sign up for a health plan by March 31. Some observers have compared this action to the flexibility exercised by the Bush administration in the roll out of Medicare Part D. Others say it was quite different. Our Georgetown Health Policy Institute colleague and Medicare expert Jack Hoadley cuts through the rhetoric and points us to the precedents to pay attention to.

New Tools to Help Consumers Compare Health Plans

Posted March 27, 2014 by CHIR Faculty

One of the most difficult elements of enrolling in the new health insurance Marketplaces is plan selection. Consumers are often overwhelmed and confused about their options. In this guest post, former CHIR colleague and ACA expert Christine Monahan discusses a new tool that can help consumers make better plan choices.

People Who Have Tried to Enroll through HealthCare.Gov Get Extension Beyond March 31st

Posted March 26, 2014 by CHIR Faculty

The Obama Administration has announced that consumers who’ve faced difficulties enrolling in the new health insurance Marketplaces will get some extra time to sign up. Our colleague at Georgetown’s Center for Children and Families, Tricia Brooks, has an overview of the decision.

New Issue Brief Examines Design of SHOP Marketplaces

Posted March 23, 2014 by CHIR Faculty

SHOP marketplaces promise small employers features they say they want but typically have not been able to obtain, such as the ability to give their employees a greater choice of plans and make a predictable contribution towards coverage. In a new issue brief for The Commonwealth Fund, CHIR faculty examine the design decisions states have made to add value for small employers in their SHOP marketplaces.

Consumer Services ACA Toolkit

Posted March 21, 2014 by CHIR Faculty

CHIR faculty Sally McCarty, David Cusano, and Max Farris serve as technical assistance professionals (TAPS) in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation State Health Reform Assistance Network. In that capacity, they have developed the Consumer Services Toolkit to help assure that consumer service representatives in state insurance departments have critical information about the Affordable Care Act at their fingertips. Sally McCarty introduces the toolkit and its components.

Time for a Dental Check Up

Posted March 14, 2014 by CHIR Faculty

One challenging question for families as they enroll in health insurance coverage on the new Marketplaces is what to do about kids’ dental coverage. Our colleague at Georgetown’s Center for Children and Families, Joe Touschner, has the skinny and links to some helpful resources to better understand this complex policy area – and how things might change for 2015.

Back in the Day — Lessons Learned from Pre-reform Days: Going “Old School” with Narrow Networks

Posted March 10, 2014 by CHIR Faculty

While we’re struggling with Affordable Care Act (ACA) issues, there’s value in taking the time to look back and appreciate the impact of the ACA and other healthcare reforms implemented over the past few decades. To that end, former insurance commissioner and health insurance company executive Sally McCarty begins a series of blogs that compare the healthcare coverage landscape before and after reform. The series is called “Back in the Day – Lessons from Pre-reform Days,” and begins with a look at narrow networks.

READ THE FINE PRINT: A New Provision in BCBS of Mississippi Plan Could Mean Huge Unexpected Costs for Plan Enrollees

Posted March 7, 2014 by CHIR Faculty

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi has included a new provision in its plan description that could mean huge costs for plan participants. The new policy does not cover prescription drugs prescribed by out-of-network providers. How does this policy square with the ACA? And what does it mean for consumers? Elissa Dines discusses.

Last Call for State-Based Health Insurance Marketplaces

Posted February 26, 2014 by CHIR Faculty

There are reports that at least some formerly reluctant states are thinking of moving from a federally facilitated to a state-based health insurance marketplace. Our colleague at Georgetown’s Center for Children and Families, Sonya Schwartz, walks us through what states need to do to make the transition.

Federal Court Ruling Casts Doubt on State Power to Restrict Health Reform Navigators

Posted February 20, 2014 by CHIR Faculty

In January, a federal court in Missouri became the first to rule on whether states have the legal authority to restrict the work of the Affordable Care Act’s consumer assistance “navigators.” In a new post for The Commonwealth Fund, Justin Giovannelli, Kevin Lucia, and Sabrina Corlette discuss the decision and explore its significance for Missouri and the other states that have adopted restrictions on navigators and consumer assisters.