In this article Medicaid unwinding Future of subsidy enhancements uncertain State-by-state details Why enrollment in West Virginia spiked How and why premiums vary from state to state Open enrollment highlights by state During the open enrollment period for 2024 health coverage, more than 21.4 million people enrolled in private qualified health plans (QHPs) through the Marketplaces (exchanges) nationwide.1 This was a 31% increase over the previous record high set in 2023, when 16.4 million people enrolled in Marketplace QHPs.2 In addition to the 21.4 million QHP enrollments, another 1.3 mil ..read more

In this article ACA Marketplace individual and family health insurance COBRA continuation of group coverage Medicaid Insurance through a spouse’s health plan Short-term health insurance Frequently asked questions In the United States, nearly half of the people under the age of 65 get their health insurance from an employer.1 But the downside of having health insurance linked to employment is that losing your job will also mean losing your health insurance, adding stress to an already stressful situation. Fortunately, when it comes to obtaining health insurance for the self employed, consume ..read more

In this article The Medicaid unwinding process National disenrollment totals at a glance Disenrollments will likely be higher than projected How many people have had their Medicaid renewed? Why have states disenrolled Medicaid beneficiaries? What should I do if I’ve been procedurally disenrolled? What should I do if I’m no longer eligible for Medicaid? How many people have transitioned from Medicaid to Marketplace plans? In early 2023, states began the process of redetermining eligibility for the approximately 94 million people who were enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP at that point. Roughly a year ..read more

In this article Open enrollment start dates would be standardized in state exchanges Special enrollment period effective dates would be standardized It would be easier for states to add to their essential health benefit requirements States would be allowed to add adult dental to essential health benefits The low-income special enrollment period would become permanent Marketplace plans could be terminated retroactively if an enrollee is eligible for backdated Medicare The federal government has proposed a wide range of health insurance rule changes for 2025 and – if approved – they’re likely ..read more

On January 8, Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton attracted national attention and an outpouring of support when she appeared on the Today Show, explaining the health scare she faced in the fall of 2023. Retton recounted how she fell gravely ill with a rare form of pneumonia and – because she couldn’t afford health insurance – faced thousands of dollars in hospital bills. The story fortunately has a happy ending: Retton was discharged from the hospital after about a month, and is recovering at home. And her daughters had organized a fundraiser that raised more than $459,000 in contributions. The f ..read more

In this article: The Biden administration’s proposed changes State regulatory flexibility regarding short-term plans Current state limits on duration of short-term The path to current short-term federal rules Since 2018, federal rules have made it possible for consumers in many states to buy short-term, limited-duration insurance (STLDI) and keep that coverage for as long as three years, including renewals and extensions. (States can set their own more stringent rules, which is why these rules don’t apply nationwide.) But a rule proposed by the Biden administration in July 2023 would signif ..read more

In this article How many people have been disenrolled from Medicaid? Most disenrollments due to procedural reasons CMS pauses procedural enrollments in 29 states and DC How many people have transitioned from Medicaid to Marketplace coverage? Subsidies for Medicaid beneficiaries transitioning to coverage on the Marketplace Special enrollment in the Marketplace for those disenrolled What should current enrollees expect as Medicaid redetermination continues? Medicaid disenrollments resumed several months ago (in April, May, June, or July, depending on the state), and the process is proceeding ..read more

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has faced numerous legal challenges, but has been upheld three times by the Supreme Court. Over the years, the headlines surrounding the possibility of the ACA (aka Obamacare) being overturned have often focused on people with pre-existing conditions who buy their own health insurance. (This is certainly a valid concern, as those individuals would undoubtedly be worse off without the ACA.) But the impact of the ACA goes well beyond securing access to healthcare for people with pre-existing conditions. Who are these Americans, whose lives are better off, thanks to ..read more

South Dakota is the 39th state to expand Medicaid eligibility to cover low-income adults, with coverage that could take effect as early as July 1. Applications were accepted starting June 1, and enrollment continues year-round. What are the new Medicaid eligibility guidelines after expansion? South Dakota’s Medicaid expansion makes coverage available to many low-income adults who weren’t previously eligible and now meet eligibility criteria. This includes adults who: Are under age 65. Have a household income up to 138% of the poverty level. (For a single person, that’s $20,120 in 2023; for a ..read more

Friday Health Plans, which offers coverage in five states, is winding down its business operations. And in at least three of those states, thousands of enrollees need to select new plans in the coming weeks to avoid becoming uninsured. Friday Health Plans of Georgia has been placed into receivership, and its health policies will terminate on July 31, 2023. Friday Health Plans of Oklahoma and Friday Health Plans of North Carolina have also been placed into receivership, with coverage ending on August 31, 2023. Enrollees will need to continue paying their Friday Health Plans premiums through tho ..read more