Welcome to this week’s round-up of state-level well being reform information, together with:
2020 open enrollment is underway nationwide
Open enrollment for 2020 individual-market medical insurance plans is underway nationwide. It'll finish in most states on December 15, though some states have prolonged their enrollment deadlines. Right here’s an at-a-glance abstract of necessary issues to remember throughout open enrollment; you too can learn our extra in-depth information to open enrollment.
Almost 35,000 Idahoans have already enrolled in expanded Medicaid
Enrollment in Idaho’s expanded Medicaid started on November 1, and the Idaho Division of Well being and Welfare studies that almost 35,000 folks have already enrolled.
Restraining order blocks Trump’s medical insurance necessities for immigrants
On November 2, a federal choose in Oregon issued a short lived restraining order to dam implementation of President Trump’s proclamation concerning medical insurance protection for brand new immigrants. The principles had been slated to take impact November three, and would have required new immigrants to indicate proof of well being protection or the monetary means to pay for their very own medical wants.
Off-exchange plans now not accessible year-round in Nevada
From 2014 by means of 2019, Nevada legislation required well being plans bought outdoors the trade to be accessible for buy year-round, albeit with a ready interval of as much as 90 days. However that’s now not the case, on account of a brand new legislation that took impact in Nevada final month. Off-exchange plans within the state at the moment are solely accessible throughout open enrollment or with a qualifying occasion, as is the case in the remainder of the nation.
Georgia has proposed a partial growth of Medicaid
Final week, we gave you a heads up that Georgia was anticipated to unveil a proposal to partially broaden Medicaid this week. Whereas a partial growth of protection is healthier than nothing for the state’s poorest residents, Georgia’s newly unveiled proposal is anticipated to solely cowl about 52,000 folks, versus greater than 400,000 who would acquire eligibility with full Medicaid growth. Georgia’s proposal would supply Medicaid protection to these with incomes underneath the poverty stage, so long as they work no less than 80 hours per week. Enrollees with earnings above 50 p.c of the poverty stage would additionally must pay month-to-month premiums.
Georgia’s proposal to overtake the state’s particular person market
Georgia has additionally proposed a 1332 waiver that might create a reinsurance program beginning in 2021. However Georgia’s proposal goes effectively past that: It requires the state to cease utilizing HealthCare.gov as of 2022 and as a substitute depend on internet brokers and insurers to enroll residents in plans that might be eligible for premium subsidies. These would come with QHPs in addition to guaranteed-issue non-QHPs with lesser advantages.
Indiana suspends Medicaid work requirement
The Trump Administration has accepted Medicaid work necessities in a number of states, together with Indiana, however work necessities have been dealing with an unsure authorized future, with federal courts overturning them in some states. Indiana had been phasing in its work requirement this 12 months, and enrollees would have began dropping protection for non-compliance as of January. However the state has now suspended this system, pending the end result of a lawsuit that's difficult the work requirement.
Kentucky elects governor who helps the ACA
Underneath former governor Steve Beshear, Kentucky expanded Medicaid and carried out a state-run medical insurance trade that was extensively thought of among the many most profitable within the nation. However underneath his successor, Republican Matt Bevin, Kentucky began utilizing HealthCare.gov and has labored to implement a closely contested Medicaid work requirement. On November 5, nevertheless, Bevin misplaced his re-election bid to Democrat Andy Beshear, who's Kentucky’s Legal professional Normal and Steve Beshear’s son. Beshear’s healthcare proposal signifies that he plans to reverse course on the Medicaid work requirement and doubtlessly revive the state’s medical insurance trade platform — time will inform how this all performs out.
Virginia’s legislature flip prone to safe Medicaid growth
After a protracted legislative battle, Virginia expanded Medicaid at the beginning of 2019, and greater than 325,000 folks have since enrolled in this system. However the state’s legislature had a slim Republican majority that insisted on a Medicaid work requirement, which continues to be within the strategy of garnering federal approval. On Tuesday, Democrats in Virginia flipped each chambers of the state’s legislature, serving to to cement Medicaid growth going ahead and doubtlessly permitting lawmakers to reverse course on the work requirement.
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 trade updates are usually cited by media who cowl well being reform and by different medical insurance consultants.
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