Health reform

New York’s Law to Protect People from Surprise Balance Bills is Working as Intended, but Gaps Remain

Posted May 13, 2019 by CHIR Faculty

New York’s 2014 law to protect consumers from surprise out-of-network medical bills has been touted as a model for other states and even potential federal legislation. In their latest report for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, CHIR experts Sabrina Corlette and Olivia Hoppe share findings from a case study of how New York’s law has affected patients, providers, and insurers, 5 years post-enactment.

Federal Proposal Creating New HRAs for Employers Creates Risks for Employees, the Individual Market

Posted May 2, 2019 by JoAnn Volk

The Trump administration is expected to soon publish a final rule to expand employers’ use of Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) for employees to purchase individual market insurance. In her latest piece for the Commonwealth Fund’s To the Point blog, CHIR’s JoAnn Volk assesses the proposed changes and their implications for employers, employees, and state insurance markets.

New Study: Consumers Don’t Understand That Short-term Plans Lack Protections, Benefits

Posted April 8, 2019 by CHIR Faculty

A study commissioned by consumer representatives to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) finds that consumers face significant challenges understanding the limitations of short-term health plans. These plans, championed by the Trump administration as a cheap alternative to ACA coverage, can leave consumers facing significant out-of-pocket costs if they have an unexpected medical event.

What Does the Latest Federal Court Decision Mean for Association Health Plans – and the States that Regulate Them?

Posted April 3, 2019 by

On March 28, 2019, a federal district court invalidated the Trump administration’s rule encouraging the formation of association health plans that would be exempt from many Affordable Care Act protections. In her latest “Expert Perspective” for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s State Health & Value Strategies project, CHIR’s Sabrina Corlette provides an update on the court ruling and implications for state insurance departments.

Affordable Care Act Back in the Spotlight: Build on its Progress or Scrap it Entirely?

Posted March 28, 2019 by

It is hard to find a starker example of the different approaches our two political parties take to health care than the events of March 26, 2019. CHIR’s Sabrina Corlette breaks down the Trump administration’s push to have the Affordable Care Act declared unconstitutional and a comprehensive bill to expand coverage and improve affordability, introduced just hours later by leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Saying Goodbye to a Hero

Posted March 4, 2019 by CHIR Faculty

Over the weekend we said goodbye to a dear friend. Rob Restuccia lost his 6-month battle against pancreatic cancer, but he never gave up the fight for health equity and justice. We pay tribute to his leadership, commitment and legacy. His life and work inspire us all.

Stakeholders React to the Administration’s Proposed Rule on Health Reimbursement Arrangements. Part 3: Employers, Brokers, and Employee Benefit Advisors

Posted February 28, 2019 by

In October, the Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services issued a proposed rule that aims to expand the “flexibility and use” of health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs). To understand reactions to the proposal, CHIR reviewed a sample of comments from state officials, insurers, consumer advocates, and employer, broker and benefit advisor groups. In Part 3 of this blog series, we highlight comments from nine employer, broker, and benefit advisory groups.

Efforts to Protect Workers with Pre-existing Conditions

Posted February 7, 2019 by CHIR Faculty

On February 6, 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Education & Labor Committee held a hearing on threats to workers with pre-existing conditions. CHIR expert Sabrina Corlette was invited to testify and shares her statement here.

It’s All About the Rating: Touted “Benefits” of Association Health Plans Ignore Key Facts

Posted February 4, 2019 by CHIR Faculty

A recent Washington Post article touted the emergence of association health plans under recent Trump administration rules, noting their lower cost and generous benefits. But the truth is more complicated, as CHIR experts Kevin Lucia and Sabrina Corlette point out, noting that AHPs often rely on medical underwriting and low “teaser” rates to lure new members. As a result, history is littered with insolvencies and even fraud connected to these arrangements.