24 States Have Selected Benchmark Insurance Plans
24 states andWashington,D.C., have selected a benchmark insurance plan that will determine what health insurance providers must cover in health plans sold in state exchanges and individual and small-group markets.
Feds to Provide 100 Percent Funding for New Medicaid Beneficiaries
In March 2013, the U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services announced a final rule that provides funding for states that expand Medicaid.
CMS Reverses Decision to Cut Medicare Advantage Rates
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reversed its decision to cut Medicare Advantage payments to insurers by 2.2 percent in 2014 and instead agreed to give them a 3.3 percent increase.
Congress to Review Advance-Care Planning Legislation
Congress is reviewing the Personalize Your Care Act, bipartisan legislation to provide Medicare and Medicaid coverage for voluntary advance-care planning consultations.
ACA Helps 105 Million Americans Receive Free Preventive Care
In the three years the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been in effect, approximately 71 million Americans in private health insurance plans received coverage for at least one free preventive healthcare service.
Government Partners with States to Offer Health Insurance Exchanges
With only 17 states and Washington, D.C., currently signed up to run their own health insurance exchanges beginning in October, the majority of states will participate in federal government-run partnerships with the help of a grant program.
Tax and Age-Rating Restrictions May Lead to Higher Insurance Premiums
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA),the health insurance sales tax and age-rating restrictions will increase premiums for many, according to a report by Oliver Wyman, a management consulting firm.
Fiscal Cliff Legislation Helps Recover Medicare Funds
As part of the fiscal cliff legislation enacted prior to the end of 2012, $10.5 billion in Medicare overpayments to hospitals will be recovered over the next few years.
HHS Grants $1.5 Billion to Fund State-Based Marketplaces
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has approved $1.5 billion in new Exchange Establishment Grants to ensure states have the required resources to build marketplaces that meet the needs of residents.
Healthcare Law Requires Pediatric Dental Coverage
Under the Affordable Care Act’s “10essential health benefits,” individual and small group health plans sold under state-based health insurance exchanges and outside them on the private market will be required to cover pediatric dental services beginning in 2014.