Healthcare Reform News

The nation’s carrier group is urging the administration to add a new lower-cost plan under the exchanges — as well as a couple other changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — “to enhance the affordability, stability and accessibility of health care.” On Wednesday, America’s Health Insurance Plans proposed a series of changes to the law … Read more

Enrollees in silver plans through the exchanges could be paying more than twice as much on prescription drugs than they would under a typical employer plan, new research finds. The report — commissioned by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and conducted by actuarial firm Milliman — found exchange participants are paying a “far … Read more

The CMS has issued its final rule (PDF) for exchange and insurance market standards for 2015 and beyond, a potpourri of policies that address consumer notices, quality reporting and enrollee satisfaction surveys, the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), standards for navigators and other consumer assisters, and policies regarding the premium stabilization programs, among others. Its navigator standards are … Read more

The Associated Press reports that consumers across the country are discovering that they bought plans with limited doctor and hospital networks, some after websites that mistakenly said their doctors were included. This “dilemma,” the article says, “undercuts President Obama’s 2009 pledge that: ‘If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor, period.’” The The … Read more

New guidance from the federal government about the Affordable Care Act allows Anthem individual members and small group employers who have not moved to an ACA-compatible plan to keep their current health plans (and network of doctors) for another year. This offer will be extended to individuals and small groups with renewals starting July 1. … Read more

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration has announced updates to model notices informing workers of their eligibility to continue health-care coverage through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. The updates make it clear to workers that if they are eligible for COBRA continuation coverage when leaving a job, they may choose to instead purchase coverage through … Read more

PPACA’s Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan — or at least the patients enrolled in it — is getting one last extension. The Obama administration said on 4/24 that sick patients in the temporary, federal program now will have until June 30 to select an exchange health plan. After three previous extensions, coverage for PCIP enrollees will end April 30. … Read more

Obama administration officials are starting to create the framework for what could be another major health insurance program: the Basic Health Program. A state that used the PPACA Basic Health Program could get money from the federal government to set up a voluntary, government-run, enrollee-paid health plan for the working poor. The Centers for Medicare … Read more

Enrollment in health plans sold on Obamacare’s insurance exchanges has reached 8 million, and 35% of those who signed up through HealthCare.gov are under the age of 35, President Barack Obama said Thursday. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act “is now covering more people at less cost than most would have predicted a few months ago,” the president said in … Read more