Federal Officials To Change Health Law’s Rules For Special Sign-Ups
The changes are an effort to stop some people from trying to game the system by signing up for insurance only when they need coverage, a practice that can be very costly for insurers. Officials also announced some options to help the health law's insurance co-ops.
The Hill:
Administration Tightens ObamaCare Sign-Up Rules
The Obama administration on Friday announced changes to ObamaCare sign-up rules that are intended to cut down on people gaming the system and address a complaint from insurance companies that they say is causing them to lose money. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it is tightening the rules for enrolling in one of ObamaCare’s extra sign-up periods.
The extra periods allow people to sign up for insurance outside of the regular enrollment period if they move. The change announced Friday requires that people have coverage at some point in the preceding 60 days, which is intended to prevent people from moving for the sole purpose of becoming eligible to sign up for health insurance. (Sullivan, 5/6)
Modern Healthcare:
CMS Provides Lifeline To Co-Ops, Pares Down Special Enrollment Events
The CMS unveiled an interim final rule late Friday that could help the Affordable Care Act's struggling co-op plans. The rule also responds to insurers' complaints that people are abusing special enrollments in the exchanges. The CMS tightened the use of special enrollments, specifically making the rules around moving to a new home more restrictive to avoid any gaming of the system. Co-ops also can seek outside funding from investors to build up their capital, something that was outlawed previously. The policies go into effect May 11, and the CMS will accept comments on the rule through July 5. (Herman and Dickson, 5/6)
The Associated Press:
Feds Propose Limits On Special Sign-Ups For Obama Health Law
The Obama administration says it's moving to limit special sign-up periods under the president's health care law after insurers complained of abuses. Under a policy change proposed Friday, people who try to get coverage after moving to a different community will have to show they were insured at their previous address at least some of the time during the previous 60 days. (5/6)
Also, a candidate in Wyoming is campaigning on the health law —
Wyoming Public Radio:
Democrat Supports Changes To The ACA
Wyoming’s Democratic Candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives says the Affordable Care Act has helped many citizens in the state, but he adds that it can be improved. (Beck, 5/6)
