Marketplace Website Still Has Many ‘Back End’ Glitches Affecting Insurers
Plans continue to have problems verifying whether consumers have enrolled and subsidy payments are not yet automated. Meanwhile, Democrats are preparing for blowback during tax season from people who realize for the first time that they will pay a penalty for failing to have insurance and some advocates call for a change to make it easier for pregnant women to sign up for coverage.
Politico:
Behind The Curtain, Troubles Persist In HealthCare.Gov
Behind the scenes, HealthCare.gov is still a mess. The “back end” of the Obamacare website still isn’t properly wired to the health insurance companies. It’s slow going for health plans to make sure the 11.4 million people who have signed up end up in the right plan. Subsidy payments aren’t automated, so the insurers get payments based on estimates. And adding information like a marriage or the birth of a child is a convoluted, multi-step process. ... Instead of a swift process, health plans use clunky workarounds and manual spreadsheets. It takes time and it costs money. (Pradhan and Norman, 2/17)
The Washington Post:
Democrats Are Bracing For Another Obamacare Backlash
The Obamacare window technically just closed this weekend, but a new round of political headaches could just be beginning for the administration. That's because it's tax season, and many Americans could soon be getting an unwelcome surprise that they owe the government a penalty for skipping health insurance coverage. Up to 6 million Americans are expected to pay a penalty for not having coverage in 2014, according to recent Obama administration projections. (Millman, 2/17)
Modern Healthcare:
CMS, States Ponder Special Enrollment For Those Facing Tax Penalties
CMS officials have yet to say if the agency will implement an open-enrollment extension for people facing tax penalties who don't have coverage, an extension several states also are considering after Washington state enacted one. Some Congressional Democrats have been urging the Obama administration to implement a special-enrollment period for tax filers facing penalties. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and 10 other senators who caucus with the Democrats, on Monday sent a letter to HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell calling for additional time to sign up for coverage. (Demko and Herman, 2/17)
Kaiser Health News:
Advocates Want Obamacare Available To Pregnant Women Any Time
The Obama administration often touts the health benefits women have gained under the Affordable Care Act, including the option to sign up for coverage outside of open enrollment periods if they’re "having a baby." But advocates complain the special insurance enrollment period begins only after a birth. As a result, uninsured women who learn they are pregnant outside of the regular three-month open enrollment period, which this year ended Sunday, can get stuck paying thousands of dollars for prenatal care and a delivery — or worse, going without care. (Galewitz, 2/18)
