health insurance exchange

Idaho Misses Opportunities to Help Consumers Get Affordable, Comprehensive Health Coverage During COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted May 20, 2020 by Rachel Schwab

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, states have taken charge of responding to the public health emergency. As a state that runs its own health insurance marketplace, Idaho has tools at its disposal to help consumers enroll in comprehensive coverage. But like the federal marketplace, Idaho decided not to wield all of them, leaving large marketplace enrollment barriers and instead promoting alternative and less comprehensive coverage.

Stepping in When States Don’t Step Up: First “State-Based” Plans Filed in Idaho, Violating the Affordable Care Act

Posted February 16, 2018 by Rachel Schwab

Last week Blue Cross of Idaho filed the first “state-based” health plans, products that don’t comply with the Affordable Care Act’s requirements for coverage offered on the individual market. When a state can’t or won’t enforce federal law, the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) is supposed to step in. CHIR’s Rachel Schwab outlines HHS’ authority to protect the rule of law and ensure that Idaho consumers continue to receive the benefits they are promised under the ACA.

Idaho Goes Rogue: State Authorizes Sale of Health Plans that Violate the Affordable Care Act

Posted February 1, 2018 by

Idaho has just published rules for new, “state-based” health plans that are exempt from many of the Affordable Care Act protections for people with pre-existing conditions. CHIR’s Sabrina Corlette examines the legality of Idaho’s action, as well as its potential impact on consumers and the health insurance marketplace.

Risky Business: Health Actuaries Assess the Individual Market and Rates

Posted February 7, 2017 by Rachel Schwab

As the health care debate continues, we face a number of unknowns. Congressional leadership and President Trump vowed to repeal the ACA, but have yet to reach a consensus on the replacement plan. Meanwhile, consumers and insurers are making big decisions about health plans without knowing what the individual market will look like. Predicting the impact of unknown events is no easy task; if you’ve misplaced your crystal ball, the American Academy of Actuaries (AAA) recently released an issue paper on the future of the individual market, lending their expertise to a debate riddled with uncertainty.

Sharpen Your Pencils: One More Chance to Comment on SBC Changes

Posted February 29, 2016 by JoAnn Volk

Last week, HHS, Treasury and Labor released a proposed revised template for the Summary of Benefits and Coverage, giving the public 30 days to comment. JoAnn Volk provides an update on the long road to these changes, including key changes sought by consumers.

Tax-related Information for Marketplace Consumers

Posted February 9, 2016 by CHIR Faculty

While Old Man Winter barrels down on us with cold and snow, what better time to get your documents together for tax filing season? For marketplace consumers, you’ll need a couple of documents to file your tax return. CHIR’s Sandy Ahn provides some information on what you’ll need.

New to the Affordable Care Act, or Need a Refresher? ACA 101 Briefing Has What You Need to Know

Posted March 9, 2015 by CHIR Faculty

A recent briefing hosted by the Alliance for Health Reform and the Kaiser Family Foundation offered Congressional staff and stakeholders a primer on the Affordable Care Act. CHIR’s own Sabrina Corlette joined the panel of experts to walk people through the key private market provisions of this groundbreaking and controversial law.

After a Slow Start, Federal Small Business Health Insurance Marketplace Offers New and Improved Functions

Posted February 23, 2015 by CHIR Faculty

With intense focus on enrollment in the Affordable Care Act marketplaces, enrollment through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) has flown under the radar by comparison. In their latest blog post for the Commonwealth Fund, Kevin Lucia, Justin Giovannelli and Sean Miskell discuss early challenges for the SHOP as well as recent improvements.

State-Based Marketplaces Offer More Health Plan Choices for 2015 Coverage

Posted December 4, 2014 by CHIR Faculty

One of the goals of the Affordable Care Act is to make health insurance more affordable and accessible, in part by increasing health plan competition. In their latest blog post for the Commonwealth Fund, CHIR faculty Sean Miskell, Kevin Lucia and Justin Giovannelli find that competition is in fact increasing, and consumers shopping on the state-based marketplaces have more choices among insurers than they did last year.

New Online Resource Provides Answers to Common Health Insurance and Marketplace Questions

Posted October 30, 2014 by JoAnn Volk

This week, CHIR is releasing an online version of the Navigator Resource Guide, with close to 300 searchable FAQs and easy-to-read background information on key health insurance and marketplace issues. Although designed with the needs of Navigators in mind, the Guide is a hands-on, practical resource for anyone who needs to communicate with consumers about the Affordable Care Act.