The Scoop: August 23, 2019 Version

On this version:

Medical insurance and well being reform developments on the state degree this week included:

Reinsurance will get federal approval in Montana, Delaware

Montana has obtained federal approval for a reinsurance program that may take impact in 2020. Insurers within the state’s particular person market have proposed common price decreases of greater than 10 % – thanks largely to reinsurance – and Blue Cross and Blue Defend of Montana is predicted to scale back its price filings much more within the coming weeks.

Delaware has additionally obtained federal approval for a reinsurance program that’s anticipated to end in a big discount in common particular person market medical insurance premiums in 2020.

Seven states have already carried out reinsurance packages as of 2019. Along with Delaware and Montana, Colorado and North Dakota have additionally not too long ago obtained approval to create reinsurance packages beginning in 2020.

Maryland short-term plans will cowl psychological well being/substance abuse therapy

Maryland laws – enacted this yr and efficient October 1 –  would require short-term well being plans to cowl psychological well being and substance abuse therapy. However medical underwriting will proceed to be allowed on these plans, which suggests pre-existing psychological well being/substance abuse points won't be lined and can doubtless end in an applicant being declined for protection.

Colorado considers an SEP for Medigap enrollees

Colorado regulators are contemplating a particular enrollment interval for Medigap enrollees with Plans C and F. The premiums on these plans are anticipated to extend considerably after 2019, as they'll now not be bought to newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries. Colorado is accepting public feedback on the proposed particular enrollment interval till August 28. Obtained feedback? Ship them to DORA_Ins_RulesandRecords@state.co.us.

Easy Well being Plans prospects throughout nation get a particular enrollment interval

A nationwide particular enrollment interval for Individuals enrolled in rip-off merchandise bought by Easy Well being Plans, LLC, will proceed till September four. Customers who're nonetheless enrolled in insurance policies from Easy Well being Plans ought to have obtained data explaining how they'll cancel their plans, they usually can contact HealthCare.gov or their state-run market for help with enrolling in an actual medical insurance coverage.

Record of insurers coming into marketplaces for 2020 grows

In final week’s Scoop, we highlighted a number of states the place insurers are planning to hitch the alternate or broaden their protection space for 2020, persevering with a development in the direction of growing insurer participation that started in 2019. As price filings proceed to be reviewed by state regulators, right here’s a abstract of some further insurer market entries and expansions for 2020:

In Florida, Brilliant and Cigna plan to hitch the alternate.
In Missouri, Medica is increasing, and Oscar, SSM, and Cox plan to hitch the alternate.
In Georgia, Oscar and CareSource plan to hitch the alternate.
In Colorado, Oscar plans to hitch the alternate.
In New Mexico, True Well being will be a part of the alternate (however Christus is leaving after failing to obtain QHP certification).

North Carolina laws would broaden entry to affiliation well being plans

North Carolina lawmakers have handed laws that might permit sole proprietors and small companies to hitch affiliation well being plans (AHPs), largely mirroring federal pointers issued final yr. If signed by Gov. Roy Cooper, the laws would apply to plans issued as of 2020. However the federal pointers are presently in authorized limbo after a federal choose struck down some essential provisions in March. The Trump Administration has appealed the case, and North Carolina’s laws contains contingencies based mostly on the result of the lawsuit.

Louise Norris is a person medical insurance dealer who has been writing about medical insurance and well being reform since 2006. She has written dozens of opinions and academic items concerning the Reasonably priced Care Act for healthinsurance.org. Her state well being alternate updates are repeatedly cited by media who cowl well being reform and by different medical insurance consultants.