Health reform

New Requirements to Cover Over-the-counter COVID Tests: Implications for State Insurance Regulators

Posted January 19, 2022 by

New federal rules require health insurers to cover and waive consumer cost-sharing for over-the-counter COVID-19 tests. State insurance regulators will be on the front lines of enforcing the new coverage mandate. In her latest Expert Perspective for the State Health & Value Strategies project, Sabrina Corlette assesses the new requirements and identifies areas where state insurance departments may need to fill in gaps.

The New Year Brings New Protection Against Surprise Medical Bills: What Consumers Need to Know

Posted January 7, 2022 by JoAnn Volk

As we enter 2022, consumers are now protected from many of the worst surprise medical bills. The No Surprises Act, enacted with bipartisan support, took effect on January 1. CHIR’s JoAnn Volk describes the new protections, and what patients should keep in mind if they receive care from out-of-network providers and hospitals.

The Proposed 2023 Notice of Benefit & Payment Parameters: Implications for States

Posted January 7, 2022 by

The Biden administration has proposed a range of new standards and policies for the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance marketplaces. In her latest Expert Perspective for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s State Health & Value Strategies project, Sabrina Corlette breaks down provisions that are of particular importance to states.

Consumers Have More Time to Shop for a 2022 Health Insurance Plan

Posted December 15, 2021 by Rachel Schwab

For the past four years, December 15 has been the deadline for most Americans to enroll in the Affordable Care Act marketplaces for coverage effective the following year. This year the Biden administration has extended the sign-up window for an extra four weeks. CHIR’s Rachel Schwab takes a look at the benefits – and potential risks – of giving people more time to enroll.

The 6-foot Rope for the 10-foot Hole: The Current U.S. Approach to COVID-19 Testing Won’t Help Us Out of this Pandemic

Posted December 10, 2021 by

The Biden administration has announced a new policy to require health plans to pay for at-home COVID-19 tests. CHIR’s Sabrina Corlette walks through the pros and cons of their approach.

Build Back Better Act Clears Major Hurdle

Posted November 19, 2021 by

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the “Build Back Better Act” with provisions that significantly improve the affordability and accessibility of health insurance coverage, and the Senate is expected to act on the bill later this year. CHIR’s Sabrina Corlette teamed up with experts at Georgetown’s Center for Children and Families to summarize the Medicaid, CHIP, and private insurance policies in the bill.

Building on and Strengthening the ACA: Private Coverage Provisions of the Build Back Better Act

Posted October 29, 2021 by

The details of President Biden’s “Build Back Better” legislation were released on October 28. It contains dramatic changes designed to build on and strengthen the Affordable Care Act. CHIR’s Sabrina Corlette reviewed the 1,600+ page bill for provisions affecting people’s access to affordable private coverage, so you don’t have to.

State Health Care Purchasers Can Push Hospitals To Comply With Federal Transparency Requirements

Posted October 13, 2021 by CHIR Faculty

Federal law now requires hospitals to publish the prices they negotiate with private insurers, yet many of them are not complying. In this post for the Health Affairs Blog, CHIR’s Sabrina Corlette and Maanasa Kona and Marilyn Bartlett of the National Academy for State Health Policy discuss ways that state health benefit purchasers, such as state employee plans, can help increase hospital compliance.

Final Round of Rulemaking for 2022 Affordable Care Act Marketplaces: Implications for States

Posted September 29, 2021 by

The Biden administration continues to put its stamp on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces with new rules to expand enrollment and consumer assistance, increase plan oversight, and reverse several Trump administration policies. In her latest post for the State Health & Value Strategies program, CHIR’s Sabrina Corlette highlights the issues of particular importance to state marketplaces and departments of insurance.

Federal Committee Recommends Airline Deregulation Act Changes to Avoid Conflicts with No Surprises Act

Posted September 15, 2021 by CHIR Faculty

Air ambulances are one of the largest sources of surprise medical bills. While the No Surprises Act would protect patients from balance bills from out-of-network air ambulance providers, another federal law – the Airline Deregulation Act – could raise questions about states’ authority to enforce these consumer protections. CHIR’s Madeline O’Brien and Jack Hoadley describe a federal advisory committee’s recommendations to resolve potential conflicts.