consumers

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.

Comparing Nondiscrimination Protections under the ACA

Posted June 7, 2016 by JoAnn Volk

HHS released the final Section 1557 rule, completing the suite of non-discrimination rules that constitute some of the most dramatic recent changes in health insurance regulation. JoAnn Volk looks at how the rules stack up in protecting consumers with pre-existing conditions.

Taking a Look at ACA Non-Discrimination Rules: When Does Medical Management Cross the Line?

Posted May 9, 2016 by JoAnn Volk

The ACA prohibits benefit limits and cost sharing that discriminate against individuals based on health status and other factors, but federal rules also stress that insurers can continue to use reasonable medical management, which would allow benefit limits based on certain circumstances. JoAnn Volk looks at what this may mean for regulators and consumers trying to tell the difference.

NAIC Roundup: Catching Up on the Spring Meeting and Looking Ahead

Posted April 28, 2016 by JoAnn Volk

The NAIC held its Spring Meeting earlier this month and looked at SEPs, balance billing, risk adjustment and more. JoAnn Volk sums up the meeting and looks ahead to work to come.

New Florida Law Protects Residents from Surprise Medical Bills

Posted April 19, 2016 by CHIR Faculty

Florida is the latest state to enact legislation protecting its residents for unexpected medical bills or surprise bills. CHIR’s Sandy Ahn, Jack Hoadley and Sabrina Corlette summarize the key components of this consumer facing law.

Post ACA, 3 Communities Respond to a Shifting Health Care Landscape for Newly Insured

Posted April 8, 2016 by JoAnn Volk

There’s no question the ACA has been successful in reducing the number of uninsured. But what has that coverage meant for helping more people obtain affordable health care services and attain financial security? CHIR researchers visited 3 diverse communities to find out. JoAnn Volk reports on a new CHIR study that tells the story.

Telemedicine: Another Tool in the Toolkit to Meet Network Adequacy Standards?

Posted April 6, 2016 by CHIR Faculty

Health plans have been increasingly narrowing their provider networks, raising concerns about gaps in access to services for consumers, particularly in areas with provider shortages. Could telemedicine be used to help fill those gaps? CHIR authors say not yet and summarizes key findings from a new report published in partnership with the Urban Institute and with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Final Rules Make Expanded Role Official for Some Navigators in 2018

Posted March 4, 2016 by CHIR Faculty

When the administration finalized Marketplace regulations for 2017 and beyond earlier this week, it officially expanded roles for Navigators. While much of what CHIRblog had previously described under the proposed rule from November has been retained in the final rules, Sandy Ahn provides a brief update of the additional Navigator duties.

Healthcare.gov Changing Approach to Special Enrollment Periods, May be Bumpy Road for Consumers

Posted February 25, 2016 by CHIR Faculty

The administration recently announced that it will require verifying documents from consumers with a qualifying life change for special enrollment periods. For consumers, this means more work and likely a bumpy road to accessing health insurance through healthcare.gov. Sandy Ahn takes a look at this change and what it may mean for consumers.

A Look at Proposals for Improving Health Coverage Affordability

Posted January 21, 2016 by CHIR Faculty

Welcome to 2016. With first votes being cast in the 2016 election cycle less than two weeks away and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) promising to unveil an ACA replacement plan to steer the 2016 party agenda, the policy debate on health reform is far from over. We here at CHIR are keeping an eye on reform proposals, and in this post, CHIR’s Hannah Ellison examines various proposals to improve affordability of coverage under the ACA.