Tag: Affordable Care Act

Biden limits Trump era “junk” short-term health insurance plans

Nordstrom
Short-term Health insurance - Reducing health costs - American Flag

The goal is to reduce the sale and use of the plans that can leave policyholders footing huge bills. The Biden administration is working on rolling back the short-term health insurance plans that rolled out during the Trump administration.  The purpose is to shrink the use of these “junk” plans that leave patients at risk of paying large medical bills out of their own pockets. The new rule was first proposed in the summer of 2023 This new strategy is a part of a broader effort to reduce the cost…

Read More

Rogue Agents and Policy Switching – The Hidden Dangers for Consumers and Insurance Brokers

Logan B.
Policy Switching Warning - Health Insurance

Unscrupulous Practices Lead to Stolen Policies and Tax Headaches for Many In an alarming trend across several states, consumers covered by Affordable Care Act insurance plans are finding themselves unwitting players in a dangerous game. Without their knowledge or consent, their health insurance policies are being switched, leaving in their wake potential tax complications and vanished coverage. This epidemic of unsanctioned changes, predominantly observed in Florida, Georgia, and Texas, is stirring both consumer and industry unrest. Government and Industry Responses to Unauthorized Policy Switching and Changes Florida and Texas have…

Read More

Could Substantial Incentives Trigger a Nationwide Expansion of Medicaid?

Loreen
medicaid us affordable care act

In the decade since the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) inception, a critical coverage gap remains in the health insurance landscape. This gap prevails in the 10 states withholding the ACA Medicaid expansion, affecting 1.5 million uninsured individuals. In this detailed analysis, we investigate who is affected, the potential for expanded coverage, and examine new economic incentives that may prompt a shift towards the adoption of Medicaid expansion in remaining states. Understanding the Health Insurance Coverage Gap The ‘Coverage Gap’ is a situation in some states where adults can’t get Medicaid…

Read More

New Louisiana Law Requires Insurers to Cover Smoking Cessation Treatments

Angela Linders
Lousiana Health Insurance News

Louisiana has taken a bold step in promoting public health with a groundbreaking new law. According to this report, the aforementioned law mandates health insurance coverage for six months of smoking cessation treatment. Historically, the state has been lagging behind in terms of providing tobacco cessation treatments and removing barriers to accessing treatments. In its 2023 State of Tobacco Control report, the American Lung Association scored Louisiana an “F” in funding for tobacco prevention and cessation and a “D” in access to cessation services. What this law means for Louisianan…

Read More

Wisconsin reaches record health insurance enrollments through Affordable Care Act

Marc
Health insurance - Wisconsin ACA record enrollment

The state saw about 266,000 sign-ups during the 2024 open enrollment period for coverage. This year’s Affordable Care Act open enrollment window for health insurance saw the highest number of Wisconsin state residents registering for coverage. The 2024 enrollment period brought coverage to over a quarter of a million people in the state. State officials made the announcement, citing health insurance enrollment data released by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and from the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. The data reflected the number of enrollments…

Read More

Many health insurance denials in Pennsylvania to undergo fresh review

G. Turner
Health insurance - Denied - Pennsylvania

A new program in the state will focus on cases in which individuals have failed to obtain payments. The new Independent External Review program in Pennsylvania will be taking another look at health insurance claims in which policyholders felt they were incorrectly denied. Many people feel that the current appeal process hasn’t worked for them due to its limitations. There is already an appeal process available to health insurance customers whose claims have been denied for the cost of a medication or medical procedure. They have been able to appeal…

Read More

Record numbers of Texas residents enrolled in ACA health insurance plans this year

Logan B.
Health insurance plans - ACA enrollment Texas

The state’s total enrollment numbers were recently released, with over 1 in 9 Texans covered. The 2024 open enrollment period came with a record number of Texan sign-ups for health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The data was released by the federal government as the state uses the federal HealthCare.gov marketplace. Over 1 in every 9 residents of the state are now covered by health insurance plans sold through the ACA in 2024. This is a notable record, as it was set in the state with the…

Read More