Implementing the Affordable Care Act

Navigator Guide FAQs of the Week: Who Qualifies for a Special Enrollment Period?

Posted January 6, 2021 by Nia Gooding

Open Enrollment has ended in most states, and many consumers have signed up for a health insurance plan offered on the marketplace. For those who haven’t, there may still be an opportunity to enroll in an ACA-compliant health insurance plan during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), which are available in some states and to some consumers, depending on their eligibility. For more information, check out our state-by-state guide, which provides information on state specific policies toward health coverage.

Navigator Guide FAQs of the Week: What to Expect When Expecting Health Insurance

Posted December 21, 2020 by Nia Gooding

Open Enrollment has ended in most states, and many consumers have signed up for a health insurance plan offered on the marketplace. In this installation, the CHIR team has compiled a number of frequently asked questions (FAQs) from our Navigator Resource Guide to help inform enrolled consumers on the next steps they should take now that they have coverage.

As the Pandemic Rages on, Insurers Continue to Bring in Cash

Posted December 17, 2020 by Megan Houston

As the year comes to a close, CHIR’s Megan Houston reflects on the continued financial success of health insurance companies throughout the pandemic despite their repeated warnings of pent up demand.

Navigator Guide FAQs of the Week: Covid-19 Pandemic Concerns

Posted December 14, 2020 by Nia Gooding

Open Enrollment in most states ends on Tuesday, December 15. As consumers finish weighing their coverage options, the CHIR team is highlighting frequently asked questions (FAQs) from our recently updated Navigator Resource Guide. In this installation, we answer FAQs about insurance concerns consumers may have due to the national public health emergency caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The COVID-19 Vaccine is Coming, but Will it Be Paid For? Federal and State Policies to Fill Gaps in Insurance Coverage

Posted December 8, 2020 by CHIR Faculty

Vaccinations against COVID-19 are on their way. For consumers in Affordable Care Act plans, immunization should have it fully covered by their insurance. In their latest post for the Commonwealth Fund’s To the Point blog, CHIR’s Sabrina Corlette and Madeline O’Brien review federal and state mandates to cover the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as potential gaps consumers could still fall into.

The Draft 2022 Notice of Benefit & Payment Parameters: Implications for States

Posted December 4, 2020 by

On November 25, the Trump administration released a proposed regulation, the 2022 “Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters.” It establishes policies governing the ACA marketplaces and insurance market reforms. In her latest article for the State Health & Value Strategies project, CHIR’s Sabrina Corlette focuses on several key provisions that will impact state insurance regulation and the operation of the marketplaces.

November Research Roundup: What We’re Reading

Posted December 3, 2020 by Nia Gooding

As the autumn leaves change and the weather gets colder, we at CHIR are thankful for new health policy research. This November, Nia Gooding reviewed studies on policy interventions aimed at lowering health care costs, the impact of eliminating essential health benefits from private insurance plans, and tracking ACA marketplace premium costs for the coming year.

The Congressional Budget Office Definition of “Health Insurance” Leaves Room for Wide Coverage Gaps, Discrimination

Posted November 19, 2020 by Rachel Schwab

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) frequently estimates how policy proposals will affect rates of health insurance coverage. To make these assessments, the agency relies on a definition including coverage that can discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions and fail to cover key health services like prescription drugs, practices that are outlawed in the individual health insurance market under the ACA. CHIR’s Rachel Schwab takes a look at the CBO’s current definition of health insurance, and the impact it has on health insurance reform efforts.

Navigator Guide FAQ of the Week: Comparing Plans

Posted November 16, 2020 by Nia Gooding

With Open Enrollment now underway, consumers are weighing their options for 2021 and trying to find the right plan that meets their health needs. As consumers make their decision, it is important for them to understand what they are buying and what coverage their plan provides. This week the CHIR team answers questions about the various plans offered through the marketplace.