Since the end of September, the following 23 key events and stories marked the path toward open enrollment for 2017 health coverage. They are listed below in chronological order, ending with the most recent.
1. House passes ACA individual mandate exemption bill
The House approved legislation calling for individuals who lost health insurance because of co-op closures to be excused this year from the ACA’s individual mandate.
2. Feds approve disconnection of Kentucky health exchange
The federal government granted cautious approval for Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) to unplug the state’s health exchange Kynect, rerouting enrollees to the federal Healthcare.gov exchange.
3. Narrow network ACA plans have 6.7% lower premiums, study finds
Restricted provider networks may be the link to America’s cost-conscious uninsured population.
4. 1.4M to lose health coverage as payers flee exchanges
A significant number of Americans who purchased coverage through the ACA exchanges last year learned their policy will cease to exist in 2017, forcing them to find new coverage as options dwindle.
5. 6 things to watch during open enrollment season
Healthcare consumers and professionals should pay attention to six major insurance industry trends during this year’s open enrollment.
6. Federal ACA marketplace to offer standardized health plans
Consumers will see standardized health plans as an option when they go to shop on the ACA’s health insurance marketplace for 2017 coverage.
7. 11.7M uninsured eligible for Medicaid, tax credits under ACA
Kaiser Family Foundation estimated about 11.7 million of Americans who remain uninsured qualify for Medicaid or tax credits to purchase insurance through their state’s ACA exchange.
8. Premium increases are putting ACA to the test
Approved double-digit rate hikes for individual ACA marketplace plans continue to mar headlines as open enrollment for 2017 approaches.
9. Cigna to enter individual ACA marketplace in Chicago area
Bloomfield, Conn.-based payer Cigna will sell individual health plans on and off the ACA marketplace in the Chicago area for coverage beginning Jan. 1.
10. Feds project 9% average increase for monthly ACA enrollment
Federal officials predict monthly enrollment in the ACA marketplace will increase in 2017, even with rising premiums and major insurers exiting the marketplace.
11. Raleigh area gets 2nd ACA marketplace insurer: Cigna
Health insurer Cigna will offer individual policies on and off the ACA marketplace in the Raleigh, N.C., area for coverage starting Jan. 1.
12. 3 thoughts from Andy Slavitt on ACA open enrollment, premium hikes
Two weeks before open enrollment begins, CMS’ Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt discussed his expectations and predicted challenges leading up to the Nov. 1 start date.
13. Costs, confusion discourage some consumers during open enrollment
Consumers reported difficulty deciding on a health plan this open enrollment period due to concerns about rising costs and confusion regarding health benefits.
14. 10 states with the highest, lowest average premium increases
Monthly premiums will rise by an average 25 percent for 2017 individual plans sold on HealthCare.gov, HHS data revealed Oct. 24.
15. How many ACA insurers states will have next year
The number of health insurers selling individual plans on 2017 ACA marketplaces will total 228, a decrease of 73 from last year.
16. Feds affirm 25% average premium hike in states with federal ACA online markets
HHS said premiums for the second lowest cost individual ACA plan will jump by an average 25 percent in 39 states served by HealthCare.gov.
17. Aetna CEO: Young adults rather pay for ‘beer on Fridays and Saturdays’ than health insurance
People who are healthier and younger are more likely to forego buying ACA health plans as they weigh rising premiums against other lifestyle expenses, Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini said at Bloomberg‘s The Year Ahead Summit in New York.
18. Breakdown of health insurance marketplace landscape by state — 2016
The U.S. currently encompasses 13 state-based marketplaces, four federally-supported marketplaces, seven state-partnership marketplaces and 27 federally-facilitated marketplaces.
19. 6 issues marking open enrollment 2017
Open enrollment for 2017 health coverage commences Nov. 1 amid critical issues involving outreach, risk management and consumer options.
20. 15 markets CMS will focus on in open enrollment 2017
CMS will target 15 markets to try to boost sign-ups in the ACA’s fourth annual open enrollment.
21. Republicans call for updated tally of government subsidy expenditure
GOP leaders are requesting the Obama administration tally the amount of money it will spend on subsidies next year following its announcement that benchmark ACA health plan premiums will jump by an average of 25 percent nationwide.
22. HHS partners with 17 ‘innovative’ companies for open enrollment
Seventeen companies including Lyft, Matter and Care.com committed to supporting the fourth ACA enrollment period by providing information to freelance professionals and entrepreneurs who both work at and use the companies’ services nationwide.
23. ACA developer wishes for ‘stronger’ individual mandate
One of the ACA’s key advisers said penalties devised in the health law may be insufficient as a motivator for individuals to buy coverage.
More article about payer issues:
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ACA developer wishes for ‘stronger’ individual mandate
