CHIRblog

Proposed Pre-Verification Process for Special Enrollment Periods: Policy Goals, Potential Impact, and the need for State Flexibility

Posted March 29, 2017 by CHIR Faculty

In the wake of failed congressional attempts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, we turn back our focus on the administration and its approach to the marketplaces. The proposed market stabilization rule would require a pre-verification process for special enrollment periods for all marketplaces, including states operating their own. This move is largely in response to insurer concerns, indicating an interest in working with participating marketplace insurers. But how does this fare with states that have their own special enrollment processes? CHIR’s Sandy Ahn takes a look.

Fix it, Don’t End it: Common Sense Prescriptions for Individual Market Stability

Posted March 27, 2017 by

For the time being, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the “law of the land.” But increasing uncertainty about the policy future has left the individual insurance market at risk and could result in fewer choices and higher premiums, In the past, Congress has demonstrated that it can arrive at bipartisan solutions to tackle insurance market challenges and help consumers. CHIR’s Sabrina Corlette outlines what a common sense ACA reform package could look like.

House Proposal to Promote Association Health Plans Poses Risks for Insurance Markets, Consumers

Posted March 27, 2017 by CHIR Faculty

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to promote federally certified association health plans (AHPs) on March 22, 2017. Widely seen as a “second phase” of Affordable Care Act repeal, the AHP proposal poses significant risks for small employers and would hinder states’ ability to protect their consumers. In their latest post for The Commonwealth Fund, Kevin Lucia and Sabrina Corlette take a look at the bill and what it would mean for the small business health insurance market.

Stakeholders React to HHS’ Proposed Market Stabilization Regulations: Part 3 – State-Based Marketplaces

Posted March 23, 2017 by Emily Curran

For the third and final blog post in our series examining reactions to the proposed market stabilization rules, we turn to state-based marketplaces. How could the proposed rules impact states? CHIR’s Emily Curran takes a look.

Stakeholders React to HHS’ Proposed Market Stabilization Regulations: Part 2 – Consumer Advocates

Posted March 17, 2017 by Rachel Schwab

Last month, the Department of Health & Human Services released proposed rules aimed at stabilizing the ACA’s health insurance marketplaces. After a 20-day comment period, they received close to 4,000 public comments. In the second post in our series on the reactions of health care stakeholders, CHIR’s Rachel Schwab looks at comments from consumer advocacy groups.

Eliminating Essential Health Benefits Will Shift Financial Risk Back to Consumers

Posted March 16, 2017 by CHIR Faculty

In a new article published on The Commonwealth Fund’s To The Point site, CHIR experts Dania Palanker, JoAnn Volk, and Justin Giovannelli look at the individual health insurance market before the Essential Health Benefits and the financial risk consumers will bear if we return to a market without benefit protections.

With all Eyes on AHCA, House Advances 3 Bills that Could Reduce Benefits, Raise Costs for People in Employer-Based Coverage

Posted March 13, 2017 by CHIR Faculty

While all eyes were on the House reconciliation bill to repeal and replace parts of the ACA, another House committee advanced three bills that could have a far-reaching impact on people with employer-based coverage. CHIR experts take a look.

Stakeholders React to HHS’ Proposed Market Stabilization Regulations: Part 1 – Insurers

Posted March 9, 2017 by Emily Curran

In February, the Department of Health & Human Services released proposed rules affecting the ACA’s health insurance marketplaces. In response, they received close to 4,000 public comments. In the first of a series of three posts examining reactions among health care stakeholders, CHIR’s Emily Curran assesses the reaction of insurance companies.

What’s the Difference Between Reinsurance and a High-Risk Pool? Two approaches to insuring those with pre-existing conditions

Posted March 6, 2017 by CHIR Faculty

Congressional leaders and the President have said any plan to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will ensure access for people with pre-existing conditions. However, how they are covered matters a great deal, in part because of the effects on the stability of the risk pool in the individual market.

Maryland CO-OP Health Plan Becomes a For-Profit Company

Posted March 1, 2017 by CHIR Faculty

Just hours before President Trump took the oath of office, the Maryland health insurance CO-OP Evergreen Health officially closed a deal with the Centers on Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) to sever its ties with the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) CO-OP program. The company will now transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit company, allowing it to gain an infusion of financing from outside investors. Executives credited the deal with enabling Evergreen to survive and stay competitive. However, it also provides insight into the immense challenges involved in starting up a new insurance company in the current market, even with federal financing.