Preparing Employers and Employees for 2021 Benefit Plans Decisions
Last week, the Biden-Harris administration (the Administration) announced a new rule simplifying the process for enrolling in Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Basic Health Program (BHP)....more
This August, a working group sponsored by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (the "NAIC") unanimously approved revisions to the NAIC's Unfair Trade Practices Act Model #880 (the "Model Law") to restrain...more
Following the expiration of the Public Health Emergency (PHE), states will resume normal eligibility and enrollment activities for all enrollees in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The volume of...more
Editor’s Note: At the end of the public health emergency (PHE), people currently enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are at risk of losing their coverage unless state Medicaid/CHIP agencies...more
On January 28, 2021, President Biden signed the “Executive Order on Strengthening Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act” which, among other things, ordered a special enrollment period (SEP) for the federal Health Insurance...more
On January 28th, President Biden issued an “Executive Order on Strengthening Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.” The E.O. states that the Biden Administration will promote policies that “protect and strengthen Medicaid and...more
This Week: To shut down or not to shut down the issue as Congress tries to wrap up and leave; opioids back in the news; Alexander says he will not run for reelection in 2020. ...more
Uncertainty and pressures continue to mount for healthcare providers, creating a new operating environment – Uncertainty around Medicaid and other programs, the shift to value-based care, margin pressures, the need to search...more
House Republicans append a Manager's Amendment to the AHCA; HHS tells states they will have increased flexibility on Medicaid; and Florida previews its 1115 waiver amendment requests....more
In an effort to stabilize the Exchanges and encourage issuer participation, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently extended the federal Exchange application and rate filing deadlines and published a...more
HealthCare.gov enrollment is down, while State-based Marketplace enrollment is up at the end of 2017 open enrollment; Hawaii, Massachusetts and Oregon introduce legislation to codify ACA reforms in state law in case of...more
HealthCare.gov consumers begin previewing 2017 coverage options as HHS projects a 9% enrollment increase over last year and an average 22% benchmark premium increase; Oregon study finds increased primary care spending in...more
HealthCare.gov plans an open enrollment pilot that will let consumers compare provider network breadth; new Medicaid enrollees reduce out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs by nearly 60%; and Kansas’s Governor announces...more
California's Marketplace revises its QHP contract to improve care quality and value, and announces its support for a 1332 waiver to allow undocumented immigrants to purchase Marketplace plans; Wisconsin proposes transitioning...more
This Week: The President took a victory lap in Wisconsin, announcing that 20 million people have gained health insurance through the Affordable Care Act... That figure includes people newly covered through insurance...more
Montana receives approval to expand Medicaid beginning 2016; California’s $6.2 billion Medicaid waiver receives pre-approval; and HHS proposes broadening circumstances under which states receive enhanced federal matching...more
Iowa's largest insurer joins the State's Marketplace for coverage year 2017; carrier changes are announced for Marketplaces in Kentucky, Oklahoma and Wyoming; and South Dakota's Governor convenes the Health Care Solutions...more
This Week: FDA Begins Device User Fee Talks with Patients and Consumers Sept. 15... CMS Extends Partial Enforcement Delay of Two-Midnight Policy Through 2015... Alaska Legislature Sues Governor Over Medicaid Expansion....more
Reductions in uninsured rates are greatest in states with Medicaid expansions and State-based or State Partnership Marketplaces; Kentucky finds increased use of preventive healthcare following Medicaid expansion; and,...more
Increased plan choice on HealthCare.gov is linked to lower premium growth; Arizona seeks changes to Medicaid expansion; and California and New York release detailed Marketplace and Medicaid enrollment reports....more
The President’s budget reveals the healthcare agenda for his Administration’s penultimate year. Medicaid expansion proposals advance in Arkansas and Wyoming; California’s Marketplace reports 9 out of every 10 enrollees remain...more
With the 2015 Open Enrollment Period (OEP) officially launched as of November 15, this week’s news highlights Marketplaces’ preparation for and tracking of outreach and enrollment – including 100,000 applications submitted on...more
In this week’s news, many states’ Marketplaces have begun to communicate with current enrollees about how to renew their coverage during the 2015 Open Enrollment Period; meanwhile, the federal government announced the...more
Welcome to the first publication of the “Manatt on Health Reform: Weekly Highlights” newsletter. Many of you are familiar with the healthcare reform tracking efforts and weekly newsletters we produced for the KidsWell...more
In This Issue: - Implementation of the Affordable Care Act - Other Federal Regulatory Initiatives - Other Congressional and State Initiatives - Other Health Care News - Upcoming Hearings and Markups ...more