Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
HHS Plans Holiday Weekend Campaign To Remind Shoppers About Insurance Sign-Up
Politico: Obamacare, Coming To A Mall Near You
HHS is hitting the malls this weekend to make sure that Obamacare is on the minds of consumers during the busiest shopping weekend of the year. ... On three key days after Thanksgiving — Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday — as well as dates beyond, Westfield Shopping Centers, the National Community Pharmacists Association and the XO Group will provide consumers with information about how they can sign up for coverage through the exchanges. (Pradhan, 11/26)
The Associated Press: Facing Health Law Hikes, Consumers Mull Options
Consumers across most of America will see their health insurance premiums go up next year for popular plans under President Barack Obama's health care law. But it will take time for families to figure out the best bang for their budgets — even as a bigger political battle brews over the program's future. For many people, government subsidies will cushion the hit. And there's a new factor: Returning customers who are savvy about health insurance and prepared to shop for a better deal. (Alonso-Zaldivar, 11/25)
The Wall Street Journal: Insurers’ Listings Of In-Network Doctors Often Out Of Date
Many insurers are offering smaller networks of doctors in their Medicare Advantage and commercial health plans this year. But those networks may be even narrower than they seem, physicians and regulators say, because the lists often include names and addresses that are erroneous or out-of-date. In some cases, the doctors shown as participating in plans have moved, retired or died, surveys show. Others are listed under the wrong specialty, work in hospitals full-time and don’t see outpatients, or don’t accept the plan being offered. (Beck, 11/25)
NBC News: Language Barriers Persist in Affordable Care Act Enrollment
It took 70 community groups working across 22 states in 41 languages to help 600,00 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) navigate the first open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act in 2014. This year, experts say many of the same issues persist, and language remains their biggest obstacle. (Kai-Hwa Wang, 11/25)
Also in enrollment news, The Baltimore Sun reports on how sign-ups are going on Maryland's exchange.
The Baltimore Sun: Health Exchange Enrollment Tops 25,000
The Maryland Health Exchange has enrolled almost 26,000 people in public and private health insurance, officials said Tuesday, a little over a week since the site opened to consumers. More than 14,700 bought private plans and more than 11,000 were enrolled in Medicaid the federal-state health plan for the poor. (Cohn, 11/25)
Meanwhile...
The Washington Post: Feds Can Save Money By Examining Health Plans During Open Season Until Dec. 8
The holiday season also means Open Season for federal workers, retirees and their families. ... They have until Dec. 8 to change their health, dental and vision insurance companies and flexible spending accounts. Next year, average premium rates for the 8.2 million people covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program will increase about 3.8 percent. Dental coverage premium rates will go up an average of 1.7 percent and vision benefits an average of 1.5 percent. FEHB is the nation’s largest employer-sponsored health benefits program, according to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). (Davidson, 11/25)
