UnitedHealthcare’s decision to quit insurance exchanges in about 30 states next year has patient advocates concerned that fewer options could force consumers to pay more for coverage and have a smaller choice of network providers.
Medical Billing Blog
United's Departure From Marketplaces Could Impact Consumers' Costs, Access
Obamacare is about to collide with the U.S. tax-filing season, adding frustration for millions of taxpayers trying to figure out how to comply and how much they will owe the government.
Supreme Court to Hear King v. Burwell Arguments on March 4th
The US Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for King v. Burwell for March 4, 2015. This case will determine whether people purchasing health insurance via the Federal Health Exchange (healthcare.gov) are eligible to receive Federal subsidies towards their monthly premiums.
Medicaid Primary Care Incentive Payments Expire
As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid payments for “primary care” services were temporarily increased to Medicare payment levels. Under this incentive program, the federal government fully funded the difference between what Medicaid would have paid physicians for the delivery of primary care services and what the comparable Medicare payment would be for that same service. The federal government’s enhanced contribution expired on December 31, 2014.
The Obama administration on Tuesday reported a big increase in new customers signing up for health insurance in Florida, Texas and other states using the federal insurance marketplace.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Mathews Burwell said on Sunday 100,000 people submitted new applications for Obamacare in the first days of the second open enrollment period.
The Obama administration has opened a new health-insurance portal to small businesses in five states after a yearlong delay of the Affordable Care Act’s online marketplace for small-employer health plans.
Modest Premium Hikes, Higher Consumer Costs Likely For Job-Based Plans
Fall is enrollment season for many people who get insurance through their workplace. Premium increases for 2015 plans are expected to be modest on average, but the shift toward higher out-of-pocket costs overall for consumers will continue as employers try to keep a lid on their costs and incorporate health law changes.
Some Premiums up, some Premiums down for 2015 Healthcare.gov
According to study by the Kaiser Family Foundation analyzing ACA Benchmark premiums in the largest cities from 15 states and the District of Columbia, there will be a mixture of premium increases and premium decreases for the benchmark Silver plans in 2015. While many of the Silver plans sold on the Exchanges in 2014 will charge higher premiums in 2015, the new plans being sold on these Exchanges will have prices below (in some cases well below) the prices for the returning plans.
CMS Expects Some Bumps in Next Enrollment Period, but Says It Is Better Prepared
CMS Principal Deputy Administrator Andy Slavitt testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee about a new report issued by the General Accounting Office (GAO) on CMS’ management of the healthcare.gov website.