It’s that time of year again. Our team at CHIR is heading far and wide for Thanksgiving, and as we gather around different tables, we’ll be sure to give thanks. One thing on our minds this season is our gratitude for the ongoing insurance protections provided by the Affordable Care Act. CHIR’s Rachel Schwab highlights some of the reforms we’re grateful for.
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.
With Open Enrollment now underway, consumers are weighing their options for 2020 and trying to find the right plan that meets their health needs. As consumers make their decision, it is important for them to understand what they are buying and what coverage their plan provides. This week we answer four questions about marketplace plans’ coverage standards.
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.
On October 16, Sutter Health announced that it had reached a tentative agreement to settle the class-action lawsuit against it, which alleged that the system has used its market dominance to drive up the cost of care. Though Sutter Health denied all allegations, the plaintiffs argued that the system relies on three core tactics to maintain a competitive edge, including: all-or-nothing contracting, anti-incentive contract terms, and price secrecy contract terms. CHIR’s Emily Curran and Sabrina Corlette explain these tactics and recent findings on the impacts of provider consolidation.
States are warning consumers of fraud and about the inadequate nature of some insurance products being sold that masquerade as health coverage. Over the last year, we identified alerts or press releases issued by 15 states warning consumers to be on their guard against deceptive marketing pitches for these products. In their latest post for the Commonwealth Fund’s To The Point blog, CHIR experts spoke with regulators in five of these states to better understand what was behind these warnings and get insight into potential pitfalls for consumers.
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.
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.
