Banning Surprise Bills: Biden Administration Issues First Rule On The No Surprises Act

When Congress enacted the “No Surprises Act” last year to ban unexpected out-of-network medical bills, it was left to the Biden administration to implement these historic consumer protections. CHIR’s Katie Keith, Jack Hoadley, and Kevin Lucia provide a detailed summary of the first round of federal rules flowing from this new law in their latest post for the Health Affairs blog.
Round III of the 2022 Notice of Benefit & Payment Parameters: Implications for States

The Biden administration has released its first major set of proposed rules governing the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. In her latest Expert Perspective for the State Health & Value Strategies project, CHIR’s Sabrina Corlette assesses the implications for state-based marketplaces and insurance regulators.
“As if COVID-19 Did Not Exist”: Health Plans Prepare for 2022 in Early Rate Filings

Several states ask for – and publicly post – health insurers’ proposed 2022 premium rates in May and June. These early rate filings can provide hints about how insurers are responding to market trends, policy changes, and emerging drivers of health care costs. CHIR’s Sabrina Corlette took a deep dive into insurers’ actuarial memos to find out how they’re thinking about health care spending after COVID-19, the American Rescue Plan, and more.
New Georgetown Report: States’ Actions to Expand Telemedicine Access During COVID-19 and Future Policy Considerations

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many states temporarily lowered barriers to using telemedicine for health care services. Subsequently, a number of states have taken action to make those changes permanent. In their latest report for the Commonwealth Fund, CHIR experts examine this emerging body of state law and its potential impact on the use of health care services, costs, and outcomes.
A Fixer Upper: Washington State Enacts Legislation to Boost its Public Option

Washington State enacted a first-of-its-kind public option, with the state-procured plans available beginning in 2020. But the inaugural year yielded underwhelming results, with fewer than 2,000 people enrolled in the plans and premiums that were on average higher than the prior year’s rates. After identifying several barriers to the program’s success, Washington enacted legislation this year to bolster the state’s public option.
A Great Day for the Affordable Care Act – and the Millions of Americans who Benefit from It

It’s three strikes you’re out for opponents of the Affordable Care Act. For the third – and hopefully final – time, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down the latest legal challenge. We at CHIR celebrate this victory for the American people, including the millions that rely on the ACA for coverage.