In Washington state, the Seattle Times (5/5, Ostrom) reports that four additional health insurers have expressed interest in joining Washington Healthplanfinder. The four for-profit companies would join the existing eight exchange providers, all of whom plan to remain in the exchange. The new entrants are Moda Health Plan, Columbia United […]

The Washington Post (5/3, Johnson, Flaherty) reports on Maryland’s plan to rebuild its problematic health insurance exchange “on a time schedule that leaves no room for error, without the endorsement of the federal government or a clear plan for funding the project.” Moreover, the same state officials who oversaw the […]

The National Journal (5/5, Novack, Subscription Publication) reports in continuing coverage on the analysis of state exchange spending released last week by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Journal focuses on the massive disparity in per-enrollee spending between state exchanges, noting “Hawaii spent $920 to enroll each new Obamacare consumer, […]

The Oregonian Share to FacebookShare to Twitter (5/4, Budnick) reported that the FBI and the HHS Office of Inspector General are both beginning inquiries into Cover Oregon, the state’s healthcare insurance exchange, while the GAO and the House Oversight committee also are investigating. The Oregonian backgrounds how the inquiries gained […]

With the next open enrollment period only a few months away, state-run health insurance exchanges are working to address continuing problems and improve their offerings. The Denver Post Share to FacebookShare to Twitter (5/5, Kane) reports that the state exchange is facing an uncertain financial future. It has spent a […]

The Washington Examiner Share to FacebookShare to Twitter (5/5, Drucker) reports that “progress toward a consensus Obamacare alternative remains slow for House Republicans, as the working group charged with drafting the proposal addresses myriad political and policy challenges.” The piece notes that “the challenge for House Republicans is finding a […]

The Wall Street Journal (5/3, Radnofsky, Subscription Publication) reports that Obama Administration released new rules Friday that said employers must notify laid-off workers that they are eligible to buy health insurance through Affordable Care Act exchanges rather than paying the generally high price of Cobra premiums. A job loss qualifies […]

Brought to you by: Halsi Insurance Services “PAY or Play” On Feb. 10, 2014 the IRS issued final regulations on the Employer Shared Responsibility— commonly called the Employer Mandate or “Pay or Play” . The guidance provides important changes and transition rules that will be of value to many employers […]

Nothing related to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) is as simple as the media makes it out to be. This is also true for the final regulations published by the IRS regarding shared responsibility requirements. The final regulations, while similar to the proposed rules, address questions posed […]

The End of Open Enrollment for Individuals and Families Does Not Mean the End of Health Insurance March 31st, 2014 was the deadline given for individuals and families to get health insurance, either on the Federally Facilitated Marketplace or on the private Market. Businesses can still get group coverage year-round.  […]