Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Administration Officials Encouraged States To Apply For ACA Waivers. So Why Are They Being Turned Down?
Two states looking for approval to customize their health insurance systems under the Affordable Care Act reversed course after the Trump administration said their applications couldn't be approved in time for next year. Iowa withdrew its proposal to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for a waiver to alter its Affordable Care Act markets. Massachusetts' proposal was effectively denied by the administration. (Kodjak, 10/24)
Federal health officials have rejected a request from Governor Charlie Baker’s administration to establish a special fund to help stabilize health insurance rates in Massachusetts next year. Baker administration officials sent their 84-page request in early September, worried that President Trump’s administration would end federal subsidies that help insurance companies discount coverage for lower-income Americans. (Dayal McCluskey, 10/24)
In other marketplace news —
Open enrollment for health care coverage next year begins next week amid uncertainty over the future of the Affordable Care Act and big increases in premiums for individuals and businesses that do not qualify for subsidies. Nevertheless, the health care law is still in effect and those required to enroll in a plan will face increasing penalties by the Internal Revenue Service if they fail to do so. (Radelat, 10/24)
Not only is the ACA still in place, but so is its requirement for most people to get health coverage or pay a tax penalty. But there are some changes this year that consumers need to know about. (Miller, 10/24)
While other health insurers lose money on the Affordable Care Act insurance exchanges or ditch them altogether, Centene Corp. remains the exception. The St. Louis-based insurer recorded a 9.7% increase in revenue during the third quarter of 2017 compared to last year, buoyed by membership growth on the individual insurance marketplace. Centene's membership is primarily made up of Medicaid recipients, but the health insurer also dominates the ACA marketplace. In the last year, Centene has nearly doubled its exchange membership to 1,024,000 as of the end of September from 582,600 at the same time a year ago. Its third-quarter revenue was $11.9 billion. (Livingston, 10/24)
