Many Uninsured Don’t Realize They May Face A Tax Penalty
A recent survey found that 44 percent of people who could be hit with penalties for not getting covered don’t know the consequences they face.
Figuring Out If A Doctor Is In Your Plan Is Harder Than You Think
Consumers struggle with the lack of transparency. For example, some physicians can be in-network when they are working at one office or hospital but not when they are at another. Or they may belong to a medical group that is affiliated with your plan, but they don’t participate.
Advocates Press For Uninsured To Get Special Enrollment Option After They See Tax Penalties
Many people will find out about the penalties for not having insurance in 2014 only when they file their taxes, but by then it will be too late to enroll and avoid the same problem in 2015. Advocates want the government to offer them a special enrollment period.
UnitedHealthcare’s Efforts To Join California Marketplace Meet Resistance
The request ran afoul of the official policy against allowing most insurers to join the statewide exchange for three years that didn’t choose to sell there when it opened in 2014. But officials last month also made some exceptions for insurers that want to operate in poorly served areas.
Despite Health Law Rules, Some Contraceptives May Require Co-Payments
The health overhaul mandated that insurers cover all costs for FDA-approved methods of birth control, but advocates and consumers say some plans have placed certain generic birth control pills among classes of drugs that require cost sharing.
Medicare Offers Relief To 400,000 Caught In Aetna Pharmacy Network Mix-Ups
About 400,000 beneficiaries have until the end of this month to reconsider their Medicare Part D plan choices after Aetna incorrectly identified some pharmacies as being in-network, dropped others and removed some from “preferred” network status.
IRS Eases Repayment Rules For Excess Health Premium Subsidies
Health insurance marketplace customers who received too much in tax credits in 2014 won’t face a late penalty if they don’t pay back the money by April 15, but they still face interest charges.
Do I Have To Repay Premium Tax Credits If The Marketplace Miscalculated Them?
KHN’s consumer columnist answers questions from readers about premiums, the health law’s tax credits and penalties.
Obamacare Drug Coverage Descriptions May Confuse Consumers About Costs, Study Finds
Healthcare.gov only allows insurance plans to list cost sharing details for four drug tiers, but many plans on the website have more than that, potentially leading to consumer confusion, according to an analysis by Avalere Health.
Mass. Malpractice Reforms Offer Faster, More Open Process For Injured Patients
Hospitals in the state are among the leaders in developing new medical liability initiatives and a recently enacted law helps consumers who want to challenge hospitals and doctors.
Study Disputes Perception That New Beneficiaries Are Fueling Medicare Advantage Growth
The majority of people choosing the private plans for Medicare coverage were switching out of the traditional program, research in the journal Health Affairs finds.
Most Marketplace Customers Have New Filing Requirements This Tax Season
The health law requires people to report their coverage situation. Those who get insurance through their jobs will only have to check a box on the usual return, but those without insurance or those who received subsidies will have to fill out new forms.
Intrauterine Devices And Other Long-Acting Contraceptives Gaining Popularity
Analysis of federal data finds they still lag behind birth-control pills and condoms.
Many Insurers Do Not Cover Drugs Approved To Help People Lose Weight
Despite the increasing efforts to fight the obesity epidemic and the approval of four new weight-loss medications, Medicare and many private plans are reluctant to pay for the medicines because of serious safety problems with other drugs in the past.
Can I Keep My Marketplace Plan When I’m Enrolled In Medicare?
KHN’s consumer columnist answers a reader’s question about whether coverage from the health law’s online exchanges is compatible with Medicare and another question on Medicare drug coverage options when seniors move.
For Some Families, Coverage With Separate Deductibles Might Be The Best Choice
Smart shoppers will dig deep to find out if their family coverage has one deductible for the whole family or separate “embedded” deductibles for each family member. The answer could make a big difference in your out-of-pocket costs.
Few Women Have Coverage For Egg Freezing
Although egg freezing is the perk du jour at some high profile companies, too often such options are not available, even for women with serious illnesses such as cancer.
Many Obamacare Plans Set Out-Of-Pocket Spending Limits Below The Cap
This news analysis examines why consumers should look at more than premiums when shopping for policies.
Consumers May Miss Out On Subsidies Due To Uncertainty About Job-Based Coverage
Some people don’t know whether their job-based coverage disqualifies them from federal subsidies to buy policies in online insurance marketplaces.
Switching To A Spouse’s Plan Can Be Difficult If Timing Isn’t Right
If a couple wants to transfer health insurance policies, it is often pretty easy because most companies use a calendar-year coverage period. But if one company’s enrollment is on a different schedule, switching can be problematic.
