For the October Research Round Up, CHIR’s Olivia Hoppe dives into studies on the potential effects of health care reform options, sustaining a low uninsured rate in California, and the effects of state-run reinsurance programs on premiums.
We are now two weeks into Open Enrollment for 2020 health insurance coverage. As consumer look at provider networks and choose their health coverage, the issue of surprise billing may be top of mind. This week, we answer two questions to help consumers avoid and respond to a surprise medical bill.
CHIR is releasing several thousand pages of Department of Labor (DOL) investigative records regarding Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements (MEWAs), including Association Health Plans (AHPs), which it received through a 2018 Freedom of Information Act request. CHIR alumna Christine Monahan takes us through what is in these files and how you can access them yourself.
Open Enrollment is in full swing in all 50 states and Washington, DC. As consumers consider their coverage options, many will qualify for subsidies to help pay for premiums and out-of-pocket expenses if they enroll in a plan through the marketplace. Throughout the enrollment period, CHIR is highlighting frequently asked questions from our recently updated Navigator Resource Guide. In this installation, we answer questions about financial assistance available to individuals and families.
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to rule soon on the future of the Affordable Care Act in the Texas v. U.S. case. In their latest post for the Commonwealth Fund’s To The Point blog, CHIR’s Sabrina Corlette and Emily Curran evaluate whether states can protect their residents from the fallout, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions, and provide an update on the latest state efforts.
Open Enrollment for marketplace coverage under the Affordable Care Act begins on November 1. To help assisters and consumers navigate this enrollment season, CHIR has updated its Navigator Resource Guide. Throughout Open Enrollment, we will highlight FAQs that are likely to be top of mind for consumers as they apply for and enroll in health coverage. This week, we are focusing on whether health insurance is still mandatory, and why it is important to have.
Over the last two years, Georgetown University’s Center for Children & Families has tracked harmful policies such as “zero tolerance” at the border and changes to public charge rules. CCF’s Kelly Whitener summarizes these policies and their harmful effects on children and their families.
Maryland is implementing a program that offers a new, easy way to enroll in comprehensive and affordable health insurance. At the same time, the federal government is considering ending auto renewal in the marketplaces, which facilitates millions of enrollments each year. CHIR’s Rachel Schwab takes a look at Maryland’s new program, and how state and federal enrollment policy can impact consumers’ access to coverage.
Half a dozen states have announced they will transition from HealthCare.gov to their own, state-run health insurance marketplaces. In a new report with the Urban Institute, CHIR researchers assess states’ reasons for making the switch, risks and benefits, and considerations for policymakers in other states contemplating a similar move.
For the September Research Round Up, CHIR’s Olivia Hoppe dives into studies on trends in employer health benefits, potential effects of value-based purchasing, and how hospital consolidation affects prices across the country.
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.
