Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
For Business Owners Mulling Association Health Plans: If The Prices Look Too Good To Be True, They May Be
The Associated Press: Interested In Association Health Plans? Here Are Some Tips
Small business owners interested in buying insurance through an association health plan should tread as carefully as they would with any kind of health care coverage. Labor Department rules that began phasing in Sept. 1 make it possible for sole proprietors and partners to join AHPs, something they couldn't do under the Affordable Care Act. But there are still many unknowns about these plans — for example, whether the new rules will survive a lawsuit brought by 11 states and Washington, D.C., that claims they allow insurance to be sold that's in violation of federal law. The rules allow very small companies to band together and act as a large company, and large companies are exempt from some of the Affordable Care Act's coverage requirements. (Rosenberg, 10/24)
The Associated Press: Health Insurance Sign-Ups Begin: Some Assistance Recommended
It's time to think health insurance. There's a sentence many Americans will dread reading. Picking the right plan every year involves sifting through deductibles, provider networks and other arcane terms that can quickly scramble the brain. Don't worry, though, help is available. It just may be harder to find this fall. (Murphy, 10/24)
