Advocates Press For Insurance Subsidies For Domestic Abuse Victims
Even estranged spouses must generally file joint returns to get subsidies for health coverage, putting them at potential risk.
Employers See Negligible Increase In Workers Participating In Job-Based Coverage
Employers saw only a tiny increase in enrollment in their health insurance plans this year, even as key provisions of the health law — including a requirement that nearly all Americans carry coverage or face a fine — went into effect, a survey by benefit firm Mercer finds. Additionally, the percentage of workers eligible for job-based coverage rose only minimally, […]
Should Healthier Patients Be Asked To Wait To Use Costly Hepatitis C Drugs?
New treatments for hepatitis C that cost at least $66,000 to $84,000 may work better than older drugs, but their cost undermines their value to the health system, a panel of experts said during a daylong forum in San Francisco. “The price makes it very hard for the health care system,” said Steve Pearson, who […]
There’s a Life-Saving Hepatitis C Drug. But You May Not Be Able To Afford It.
The price tag of the breakthrough treatment raises questions about the proper costs of pharmaceuticals.
Could Medicaid Expansion Debate Turn Into An Immigration Issue?
Proponents of expanding Medicaid in Florida argue that a ‘no’ vote means that legal immigrants will have access to insurance subsidies while some U.S. citizens go without coverage.
40 Percent Of Enrollees Through eHealth Website Are Young Adults
Whether enough young people are signing up for insurance coverage under the health law remains a point of debate among its critics and supporters. Now both sides have some new data. Private online marketplace eHealth reported that the percentage of people between the ages of 18 and 34 who applied for coverage through the firm’s website […]
Questions And Answers On The Latest ACA Delay
The administration pressed the pause button on part of the health law again. Here’s what the new timeline for the employer mandate means for businesses, workers — and for politicians.
Some Middle-Class Families Find Price Of Subsidized Health Coverage ‘Awfully High’
For nearly 3 million Americans, subsidies don’t kick in until they’ve paid up to 9.5% of their income toward premiums.
Parsing The President’s 9 Million Enrollees
Nine million. That’s the number President Barack Obama touted last night as having signed up for health insurance. That total is important to supporters as a sign that the law is working — and as an indication of the difficulties Republicans would face to rescind the law or roll back certain provisions. Critics have pointed out […]
Report: Effort To Curb Health Costs Should Be ‘Led By The States’
Governors and other state leaders have the leverage to slow rising health costs and should not wait for action by the federal government, a commission chaired by two former governors said in a report Wednesday. State leaders can use their clout as large purchasers of health care as well as regulators to set goals for health […]
Former HHS Head Offers His Take On Health Law’s Problems
Former Health And Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt says officials could learn from similar, albeit smaller, problems he and his staff had implementing the Medicare Prescription Drug Program in 2006, and that he doubts the Obama administration will meet its goals for enrollment in the health law’s insurance marketplaces.
Consumers Beware: Not All Health Plans Cover A Doctor’s Visit Before The Deductible Is Met
Those buying some bronze and silver plans could have to spend thousands before full coverage kicks in.
Health Insurers Scramble Toward Jan. 1 Coverage Deadlines
Rule changes and deadline shifts have complicated the efforts of health insurance companies to prepare for a wave of new customers and “post-enrollment snafus.”
Expect To Pay More For Your Employer-Sponsored Health Care Next Year
Some blame the health law, but experts say many of the trends fueling cost increases predate it.
Marketplace Plans’ Networks Are Very Small, Study Finds
To keep premium prices down for individuals and small businesses buying coverage through new online marketplaces, insurers have created smaller networks of hospitals. But consumers and policy experts have wondered, just how small? Turns out, many are very small. “About two-thirds of hospital networks on the exchanges are narrow or ultra-narrow,” said Paul Mango, a director at the consulting […]
Iowa Wins Approval To Expand Medicaid By Using Federal Funds To Buy Private Plans
The Obama administration Tuesday granted Iowa much of what it requested to move forward with a Medicaid expansion through the use of private insurance plans but refused to allow the state to charge premiums for those who earn less than the federal poverty level. If the state accepts the terms of the agreement, it would […]
Report: Most States Do A Poor Job Informing Consumers About Physician Quality
When it comes to providing consumers with easily accessible information about physician quality, a report out today gave most states grades of ‘D’ or ‘F,’ often because they compile data only about primary care doctors, not specialists. Washington state and Minnesota were the only states that got an A from the Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute, a […]
8 Senate Democrats Seek Obamacare Enrollment ‘Alternative’
Eight Senate Democrats — including key leadership member Charles Schumer of New York — told the Obama administration Monday that they “continue to be troubled by the ongoing technical difficulties” with healthcare.gov and want an alternative way for insurers and web-based brokers to enroll subsidy-eligible consumers. “There are long-term advantages to providing Americans multiple ways […]
Administration Tests Fixes That Would Allow Insurers, Brokers To Enroll More Consumers
Changes that would allow the companies to enroll subsidy-eligible individuals are being tried in Texas, Ohio and Florida.
President’s Cancellation ‘Fix’ Likely To Affect A Limited Number Of Consumers
Many state regulators, insurers have yet to decide on whether to OK renewals of canceled policies.
