…to hear commentators arguing for the importance of using good, comparable Census Bureau data. Let’s hope that interest continues. Health care policymaking will be improved if lawmakers from across the political spectrum can set aside their preconceived notions about the ACA and use objective analysis of data to guide their policy choices. Editor’s Note: This post originally appeared on the…
…the following month. If a worker knows her employment end date is coming, federal rules also allow for an individual to apply for the SEP 60 days prior to the end of coverage. And individuals who lose income along with their coverage may qualify for a premium tax credit to make coverage more affordable. In contrast, individuals enrolling in COBRA…
Last week the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics published a report documenting a decline in the number of people with problems paying their medical bills. The report is based on data from the National Health Interview Survey between January 2011 and June 2013 and found that the number of people under age 65 reporting problems paying medical bills dropped…
…more happy to be there. I also learned that she did not accept campaign contributions from insurance companies when she ran for commissioner. It was at that time that I decided that she was someone I wanted to get to know. Because commissioners are seated alphabetically by state at NAIC meetings, I was seated near Commissioner Sebelius and, recognizing that…
…21. Recently, my colleagues at the Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Community Catalyst, Enroll America, Families USA, National Health Law Program and I put our heads together to identify strategies and priorities to enhance the work of navigators and other assisters. We summarized these in a letter to Secretary Sebelius and CCIIO administrators…
…a form that regulators can require insurers to complete to certify that their forms comply with MHPAEA requirements. If the form being filed doesn’t meet a requirement, the certification requires a complete explanation of the shortcoming. Another new aid, the Issuer EHB Crosswalk and Certification, can be used by state regulators to require insurers filing forms to provide a description…
…swept up in the enrollment surge as the March 31st deadline neared, waiting for traffic to clear on log-jammed websites or “in line” literally at enrollment centers. Thankfully, HHS is allowing extra time for those who, through no fault of their own, have been unable to complete the process. So how does this work? First, let’s clarify the different categories…
…HHS. The final regulations require a state to provide an opportunity to comment on the BHP blueprint and significant subsequent revisions, and that federally recognized tribes have to be included in the comments. However, the regulations set no specific timelines for this input, so those interested in providing input will need to stay abreast of their state’s plans. What kind…
…to cover a minimum set of benefits or protect people from excessive out-of-pocket costs. They don’t come with the financial assistance available through the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) health insurance marketplaces, and the people who buy them could face significant penalties for failing to meet the ACA’s requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage (often called the “individual mandate”). In 2008,…
…Some of the questions we’ve heard point to the complexity of Affordable Care Act (ACA) rules. Others point to the complexity of family situations that can make it difficult to sort through coverage options and eligibility rules. And still others point to areas where the rules can be improved to work better for consumers. An example of this last category…
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