Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
'Buyer Beware' Also Applies To ACA Insurance Coverage: Experts
AP: It's Time To Buy Health Insurance Through The Marketplace. Experts Suggest Doing Your Research First
It’s time to pick health coverage for next year on the Affordable Care Act’s insurance marketplaces, and experts caution against focusing your choice on price alone. In order to prevent thousands of dollars in financial surprises, buyers should know what a plan covers, how it works and what costs you may have to pay upfront for care. (Murphy, 11/1)
St. Louis Public Radio: BJC Announces Marketplace Health Insurance Plan With Aetna
Patients who buy health insurance on the federal marketplace will be able to select a plan that includes BJC HealthCare locations in its network, thanks to a last-minute deal with insurer Aetna, health system officials confirmed Wednesday. The announcement comes as another health insurer, Cigna, stopped offering marketplace plans in Missouri for 2024. Cigna’s announcement worried some patients, who were concerned that the health insurer’s exit left patients without a marketplace plan that offered BJC providers in its network. (Fentem, 11/1)
Reuters: Humana Flags Higher Medical Costs Could Hurt 2024 Profit Growth
Humana on Wednesday said it expected elevated demand for non-urgent surgeries to spill over into next year and hurt its profit growth, sending its shares down nearly 4%. Humana and rival UnitedHealth had in June warned that older adults were getting more comfortable opting for surgeries delayed during the pandemic. (Mandowara, 11/1)
Axios: Unions Worry Drug Cost Legislation Could Hit Their Health Plans
As Congress takes on companies managing prescription drug benefits, newly emboldened unions are sending a message to lawmakers: Don't mess with our health plans. Unions have a history of shaping the health care agenda, and their voice could be especially notable as organized labor flexes its muscle this year. (Goldman, 11/2)
In Medicare news —
Axios: Medicare Plans That Help Seniors Afford Groceries Surge
The number of Medicare Advantage plans offering seniors help affording groceries has skyrocketed in the few years since it's become easier for insurers to offer an expanded set of benefits. Next year, 1,475 plans — about a quarter of the market — will offer certain eligible enrollees financial assistance for food and produce, according to an analysis from consulting firm ATI Advisory. (Goldman, 11/2)
Modern Healthcare: Medicare Home Health Payments To Increase In 2024: CMS Final Rule
Home health providers will receive a 0.8% Medicare reimbursement increase in calendar 2024 under a final rule the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued Wednesday. CMS had proposed a 2.2% Medicare payment cut in a draft regulation published in June, which triggered a tsunami of criticism from home health providers and a lawsuit from the National Association of Home Care and Hospice. (Bennett and Eastabrook, 11/1)
