Category: Implementing the Affordable Care Act

Department of Transportation Hosts the Inaugural Meeting of Committee to Advise on Air Ambulance Billing Issues

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On January 15th and 16th, 2020, the U.S. Department of Transportation held the inaugural Air Ambulance and Patient Billing Advisory Committee meeting. Established by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, the Committee is tasked with reviewing “options to improve the disclosure of charges and fees for air medical services, better inform consumers of insurance options for such services, and protect consumers from balance billing.” CHIR’s Maanasa Kona discusses some of the key takeaways from the meeting.

Parity in Practice? Examining Requirements and Enforcement of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act

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Last fall, the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance documented that the UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company had committed several violations of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). Other states are also increasing their oversight efforts. However, over ten years after the law was enacted, federal and state insurance regulators are still working to insure consumers have the protections promised under the law. CHIR’s Madeline O’Brien explains what MHPAEA is, how it is enforced, and recent CHIR efforts to support effective oversight.

New Resource for Consumer Advocates on Out-of-Network Payment Disputes in Balance Billing Legislation

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State lawmakers across the country are are gearing up for a new legislative session. Many will be considering state-level protections for consumers to prevent surprise out-of-network medical bills. Just as with the federal legislation, however, one of the key sticking points for state policymakers will be how to approach out-of-network provider reimbursement. To aid stakeholders in these efforts, Community Catalyst teamed up with CHIR experts to create a guide for its health insurance reform toolkit: The Advocate’s Guide to Addressing Out-Of-Network Payment in Surprise Balance Billing Legislation.

5th Circuit Decision in Texas v. U.S. Prolongs Uncertainty for Health Care Consumers, Markets

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Perhaps knowing their decision would sow consumer confusion and market uncertainty, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals delayed its decision in the Texas v. U.S. litigation until after the close of open enrollment for Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance coverage. CHIR’s Sabrina Corlette delves into the consequences of the long-awaited December 18, 2019 decision.

Updates from the MEWA Files: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Federal Enforcement Efforts

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Last week, CHIR alumna Christine Monahan walked through common types of misconduct documented in the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) investigative reports and case files relating to multiple employer welfare arrangements (MEWAs), including association health plans (AHPs). In this third post in our series, she shares what these records show about DOL’s enforcement efforts and the harms that can result from lax MEWA regulations.

Protecting Patients from Air Ambulance Surprise Balance Bills – Where Are We Now?

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A recently released report by the Health Care Cost Institute finds that the average price of an air ambulance trip has increased significantly from 2008 to 2017, a Department of Transportation advisory commission is studying the industry’s billing practices, and legislation is pending in Congress to protect patients from surprise bills sent by air ambulance companies. CHIR’s Maanasa Kona and Sabrina Corlette provide an update on the recent activity.

FAQ of the Week: Who Qualifies for a Special Enrollment Period?

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Open Enrollment in most states ends Sunday, December 15. After the enrollment period ends, in order to be able to sign up for ACA-compliant health insurance, you will need to qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. We’ve gathered a few frequently asked questions about Special Enrollment Periods from our Navigator Resource Guide to help you know your options.

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the individual blog post authors and do not represent the views of Georgetown University, the Center on Health Insurance Reforms, any organization that the author is affiliated with, or the opinions of any other author who publishes on this blog.