consumer assistance

Lots of Changes for 2018 Marketplace Enrollment Mean Confusion for Consumers

Posted June 21, 2017 by CHIR Faculty

Open enrollment will be here sooner than we know it. But this year’s open enrollment, will be quite different from previous years due to numerous policy changes and proposed budget cuts to marketplace consumer outreach, assistance, and enrollment system under the Trump administration. These changes will make it much more confusing for consumers and place much more of a burden on the assisters that help them. CHIR’s Sandy Ahn summarizes some of the change in store for 2018 open enrollment.

Total Cost Estimators: Lessons from the ACA’s Marketplaces

Posted February 14, 2017 by CHIR Faculty

CHIR researchers Justin Giovannelli and Emily Curran interviewed more than 40 marketplace officials, consumer assisters, technology vendors, and other subject matter experts to see how having an estimator can change consumers’ experiences in the marketplace and to understand the concerns of policymakers as they have considered whether and how to implement these tools.

What to Expect When You’re Enrolling: A Preview of Open Enrollment Season 4

Posted October 12, 2016 by CHIR Faculty

Since the beginning of open enrollment season three years ago, the administration has continually made improvements to the shopping experience on healthcare.gov. As open enrollment is just a few short weeks away, CHIR’s Sandy Ahn summarizes what consumers shopping for a plan can expect.

New Special Enrollment Confirmation Process Effective June 17, 2016: What it Means for Consumers

Posted June 20, 2016 by CHIR Faculty

As of June 17, 2016, the federally facilitated market will require consumers who have enrolled into marketplace coverage under certain special enrollments to provide verifying documents. CHIR’s Sandy Ahn summarizes the new special enrollment confirmation process and answers some questions that consumers and assisters may have.

Kaiser Family Foundation Survey on Assister Programs Reflects Signs of Progress – and Opportunities for Improvement

Posted June 13, 2016 by CHIR Faculty

Assister programs and brokers play an integral role of navigating consumers through the marketplace enrollment process. Kaiser Family Foundation’s recent survey of these stakeholders indicates these programs will continue to be needed given the knowledge gaps that still exist among consumers and the high proportion of consumers who seek help with renewal. Current legal intern and guest blogger, Emma Chapman (Georgetown JD/MPP, expected 2018), summarizes the main findings of the survey.

Understanding Consumers’ Experience with Health Insurance: New California Report on Complaints Provides Insights

Posted May 25, 2016 by CHIR Faculty

Earlier this month, the California Office of the Patient Advocate (OPA) released its first annual report cataloguing consumer complaints and inquiries about their health plans across four California state health agencies. The report examines 27,028 consumer complaints that were closed in 2014. CHIR’s Hannah Ellison explores highlights of the report and discusses its potential for impact.

New Rules on Special Enrollment Periods: What Do They Mean for Consumers and the Assisters Who Help Them?

Posted May 12, 2016 by CHIR Faculty

What triggers a special enrollment period to allow someone to enroll on the individual market outside of open enrollment has been a hot debated topic of late. Recently the administration issued a new rule tightening what life events trigger a special enrollment period. CHIR’s Sandy Ahn summarizes the new rule and what it means for consumers and the assisters that help them.

Deadline for January 1, 2016 Coverage Approaching: What to Do

Posted December 11, 2015 by CHIR Faculty

The deadline for having health insurance starting on January 1, 2016 is quickly approaching. Consumers who want marketplace coverage must enroll by December 15, 2015 for a January 1, 2016 effective date. CHIR summarizes what to do and highlights Frequently Asked Questions related to open enrollment.

Open Enrollment Begins, Kinks in the Cost Calculator Tool on Healthcare.gov and Other OE News

Posted November 3, 2015 by CHIR Faculty

Open Enrollment 3 (OE3) is now underway and by all accounts, things are going smoothly. There are a few minor kinks with the out-of-pocket cost calculator, which officials have fixed or are working on fixing now. CHIR highlights two consumer facing tools that healthcare.gov is pilot testing and should be available to all users before the end of open enrollment.

Updated Navigator Resource Guide

Posted October 28, 2015 by CHIR Faculty

CHIR is pleased to release an updated online Navigator Guide on Private Health Insurance and Health Insurance Marketplaces with searchable frequently asked questions (FAQs) and easy-to-read background information on key health insurance and marketplace issues. With Open Enrollment just a few days away, get your Guide on!