Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Despite Turmoil Of 2020, Number Of Uninsured Stayed About The Same
Axios: Uninsured Rate Holds Steady Amid COVID Pandemic
The rate of uninsured Americans in 2020 remained relatively stable — between 8.6% and 9.7% — despite pandemic-related job losses and other economic challenges, according to data released by HHS. Biden administration officials released the numbers just ahead of the start of open enrollment in the federal health insurance marketplaces today as evidence of the Affordable Care Act's impact. (Reed, 11/1)
And open enrollment begins —
AP: Covered California Begins Open Enrollment Period For 2022
Open enrollment for the nation’s largest state-run health insurance marketplace began Monday and runs through the end of January. Covered California sells individual health insurance plans to people who can’t get coverage through their job. Some people, depending on how much money they make, are eligible for deep discounts on their monthly premiums. Even families making more than $100,000 per year are eligible for discounts. (11/1)
WUSF Public Media: Florida Health Care Marketplace Enrollment Reopens And Could Grow For 2022
More than 2 million Floridians got insurance coverage through the federal health care marketplace in 2021 - a number some expect to increase during the open enrollment period that starts today. Florida is one of 12 states that did not expand Medicaid programs when the Affordable Care Act passed more than a decade ago. That leaves many low-income residents looking to the marketplace for plans - and subsidies to help pay for it. (Manna-Rea, 11/1)
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Open Enrollment Period Begins For State Health Insurance Exchange
“The pandemic has highlighted the importance of access to affordable health care,” Gov. Steve Sisolak said during a virtual news conference. “It’s a matter of education and getting the word out. There are options that are available for everyone if they just pursue that. No one should go without health insurance, and I think that the pandemic has brought that to light that it’s necessary for everyone to have.” Heather Korbulic, executive director of the exchange, said 90 percent of Nevadans qualify for discounted rates offered through American Rescue Plan funding. The tax credits help lower monthly premiums for people making up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level, or an annual income of $51,520 for one person. (Ross, 11/1)
The CT Mirror: Here's What You Need To Know About Open Enrollment, Which Begins Today
Open enrollment for 2022 health plans on Connecticut’s Affordable Care Act exchange is now underway. With additional subsidies available for many who joined qualified health plans, the exchange, known as Access Health CT, has held special enrollment periods throughout much of this year. Beginning Monday, consumers will be able to enroll or re-enroll in policies for 2022. With the pandemic still lingering, Access Health is trying to reach Connecticut’s uninsured population. (Carlesso, 11/1)
In other news about the health insurance industry —
Stat: New Insurer Partnerships Signal Next Steps For Buzzy Biotech EQRx
EQRx — the buzzy biotech company with a lofty mission of making far less expensive look-alike versions of blockbuster drugs — is finally starting to sign deals with insurance companies, a key step toward launching drugs that could shake up the market for medicines. But the deals are light on details, raising questions about just how meaningful that shake-up might eventually be. (Sheridan, 11/2)
360Dx: Insurers Look To Cut Lab Costs Through Benefit Management Firms
Working with laboratory benefit manager Avalon Healthcare Solutions, insurer Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina cut $112 million in laboratory spending in 2020. Notably, much of those savings came from management of routine lab testing, a segment that has traditionally received less attention than higher-cost areas like genetic testing, said Rahul Singal, Avalon's chief medical officer. Genetic testing is growing, but still accounts for only around 10 percent of lab spending, with routine testing making up most of the remainder, Singal said. The high prices of individual genetic tests, however, have made them a priority for insurers and the lab benefit management companies they work with. (Bonislawski, 11/1)
Modern Healthcare: Jefferson Health Takes Full Ownership Of Health Partners Plans
Jefferson Health paid $305 million for Temple University Health System's 50% ownership stake in Health Partners Plans, the not-for-profit health system announced Monday. Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health now owns all of a health plan that covers nearly 290,000 Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, Medicare-Medicare dual-eligible Special Needs Plan, and Children's Health Insurance Program beneficiaries. Temple University Health System will continue to participate in Partners Health Plans' network. (Kacik, 11/1)
KHN: ‘An Arm And A Leg’: Need Surgery To Save Your Life? Tips For Getting Insurance To Pay
Laurie Todd calls herself the “Insurance Warrior.” She helps people get their health insurance companies to pay for treatment and has written books sharing her knowledge. Hers is a wealth of knowledge that was hard-won. In 2005, Todd was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Although she found a doctor who could treat it, her health insurance said it wouldn’t be covered. But Todd didn’t accept that refusal and got her insurance company to pay for a lifesaving surgery. (Weissmann, 11/2)
