Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
118,000 More Oklahomans Have Health Insurance After Medicaid Expansion
Oklahoman: Over 200,000 Oklahomans Have Enrolled In SoonerCare Medicaid Expansion
Over 200,000 Oklahomans have now enrolled in SoonerCare through Medicaid expansion, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority announced Wednesday. Of those, more than 118,000 are new applicants, while the rest were transitioned into SoonerCare from a more limited benefits program, or people who had older applications reprocessed. Another 80,000 people still may be eligible for benefits through Medicaid expansion, the Health Care Authority said. (Branham, 11/3)
WRAL.com: Poll: GOP Voters Back Medicaid Expansion In NC, Especially When They Learn More About Who Benefits, Who Doesn't
A slim majority of Republican voters in North Carolina favor expanding Medicaid in the state, but the support grows to about three of every four when they learn more about who benefits from the taxpayer-funded health insurance program, according to a new poll. Advocacy group NC Child commissioned the poll, which will be released Wednesday, to demonstrate widespread support for expanding health coverage to tens of thousands of low-income working adults in North Carolina. (Burns, 11/3)
Modern Healthcare: Democrats Target Hospitals In Medicaid Expansion Holdout States With DSH Cuts
House Democrats are taking a new approach to convince recalcitrant conservative states to expand Medicaid to low-income adults: threatening funding cuts to hospitals. Under an updated version of the domestic policy package that the House may consider as soon as this week, hospitals in states that don't expand Medicaid could face a 12.5% cut in funding meant to help hospitals that serve large numbers of Medicaid patients. These so-called disproportionate share hospital payments are intended to keep safety net facilities financially stable by offsetting Medicaid's low payment rates and helping cover uncompensated care costs. (Hellmann, 11/2)
In other news about insurance coverage —
CNBC: Here's How To Maximize Your Benefits During Open Enrollment
Open enrollment season is underway. With millions of employees reevaluating their job or considering a change, employer-sponsored benefits are an even greater consideration heading into 2022. About 157 million Americans rely on employer-sponsored health insurance coverage and yet, before the Covid-19 pandemic, many people spent very little time reviewing their workplace health-care plan during the open enrollment period. (Dickler, 11/2)
The Wall Street Journal: Have A Job With Benefits? How To Make The Most Of Open Enrollment
Workers are often told to get a job with good benefits, but they rarely think about why. At many companies each fall, employees receive a thick booklet in the mail, or their inboxes, listing myriad options for financial, health, and other benefits. Many skip over the more complicated ones in favor of simple, quick choices. Going quickly, however, is a mistake. Choosing the right benefits during open-enrollment season can help save money and build wealth. It can also give individuals and families broader support with their health. The importance of benefits like medical coverage is particularly crucial as the pandemic continues. (McCorvey, 11/3)
The Wall Street Journal: At MetLife, Life Insurance Claims Rise For Younger People Dying From Covid-19
Covid-19 cut into third-quarter results at MetLife Inc. MET 2.50% as deaths linked to the Delta variant increased for people in their working years. It was one of the costliest quarters since the pandemic began for the insurer’s big business of providing employer-sponsored life insurance. The high level of death-benefit payout was more than offset by unusually strong investment gains from the small slice of the insurer’s investment portfolio held in private-equity funds. The New York company more than doubled its net income and posted a 31% increase in its adjusted earnings. (Scism, 11/3)
KHN: New Health Plans Offer Twists On Existing Options, With A Dose Of ‘Buyer Beware’
Trendy-looking websites promise convenience and freedom from networks, at far less than the cost of traditional health insurance. “Welcome to insurance that’s finally fair,” says one, in bold lettering. “Take care of your health with one easy app,” says another. It’s all part of shopping for health coverage in 2021. (Appleby, 11/4)
