health insurance exchange

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.

After Halbig: Considerations for States Revisiting the Option to Establish a State-Based Marketplace

Posted August 14, 2014 by CHIR Faculty

A federal appeals court’s ruling that premium subsidies aren’t available for consumers who purchase health coverage through one of the ACA’s federally run insurance marketplaces could have drastic consequences. But policymakers in the 34 states with a federal marketplace have options for protecting their residents. In one of CHIR’s blogs for the Commonwealth Fund, Kevin Lucia and Justin Giovannelli discuss those options here.

Understanding Special Enrollment Periods, Part 1: A Look at Some Who Will be Out of Luck

Posted March 31, 2014 by JoAnn Volk

Navigators have been fielding a range of questions. One that comes up repeatedly is whether an individual who falls into the so-called Medicaid coverage gap and later gets a job with income that would qualify them for premium tax credits can get a special enrollment period. JoAnn Volk takes a look at the options for these individuals.

READ THE FINE PRINT: A New Provision in BCBS of Mississippi Plan Could Mean Huge Unexpected Costs for Plan Enrollees

Posted March 7, 2014 by CHIR Faculty

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi has included a new provision in its plan description that could mean huge costs for plan participants. The new policy does not cover prescription drugs prescribed by out-of-network providers. How does this policy square with the ACA? And what does it mean for consumers? Elissa Dines discusses.