Health Insurance Newsroom
Compass Insurance Advisors provides the most up-to-date Health Insurance News. We are committed to keeping our clients and community educated about recent healthcare reform changes. If you have any questions about your health insurance plan, contact one of our advisors HERE.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 08/29/2022
HHS Takes Action to Strengthen Access to Reproductive Health Care, Including Abortion Care
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is working in providing reproductive health care, including safe and legal abortion care. According to CMS news, secretary Xavier Becerra and CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure issued a letter to U.S. governors inviting them to work with CMS and apply for Medicaid 1115 waivers to provide increased access to care for women from states where reproductive rights are under attack and women may be denied medical care.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 08/22/2022
As American Families Prepare for Back-to-School, Biden-Harris Administration Strengthens Access to High-Quality, Comprehensive Health Care for Children
According to the (CMS) news, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced three actions to strengthen and expand access to high-quality, comprehensive health care for children across the country. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is taking these actions to support President Biden’s mission to address the mental health crisis in children.
The HHS has reminded states to cover behavioral health services for children in Medicaid as well as, leveraging every resource to strengthen mental health care for children. The second guidance document urges states to expand school-based health care for children, including mental health care. In the third guidance document, the HHS will require states to report specific quality measures to strengthen Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to ensure that the millions of children and families enrolled in these programs have access to the highest quality of care.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 08/08/2022
Inflation Has Many Americans Cutting Back on Health Care, Poll Finds
According to US news, current inflation puts many Americans at a high health risk. According to a West Health-Gallup poll, about 98 million people said the rising health care prices caused health risks. People skip treatments, delay buying prescription drugs, or cut back on utilities or food. Timothy Lash, president of West Health stated that both parties; republicans and democrats have seen the impact of health care rise. Lash hopes the American people will underline this issue and push for a change in the next election.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 08/01/2022
HHS, DOL, and Treasury Issue Guidance Regarding Birth Control Coverage
According to CMS news, President Biden has given executive orders to ensure access to reproductive health care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), alongside the Departments of Labor and of the Treasury (Departments), took action to clarify protections for birth control coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA guarantees coverage of women’s preventive services, including free birth control and contraceptive counseling, for all individuals and covered dependents with reproductive capacity.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 07/25/2022
CMS Releases Maternity Care Action Plan to Implement Biden-Harris Maternal Health Blueprint; Launches Industry Call to Action
On June 26th, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a “Maternity Care Action plan.” According to CMS news, this action plan takes a holistic and coordinated approach across CMS to improve health outcomes and reduce inequities for people during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. During this release, CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure also encouraged health care facilities, insurance companies, state officials, and providers to consider the new care action plan.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 06/28/2022
Secretaries Becerra, Walsh and Yellen Underscore Contraceptive Coverage Requirements for Private Insurance
According to the CMS news on June 27th, the secretaries of the U.S. Departments of Health & Human Services, Labor and Treasury issued a letter to group health plans and health insurance issuers reminding them of their obligations under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to provide coverage for contraceptive services at no cost. The ACA guarantees coverage of women’s preventive services in all fifty states. Some reports have shown that issuers and plans may not provide coverage appropriately. Plans and issuers are required to cover, at no cost, at least one form of contraception within each of the contraceptive categories identified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This coverage must also include the clinical services, including patient education and counseling, needed for the provision of the selected contraception.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 06/20/2022
During the Biden-Harris Administration, Nearly 253,000 Americans in 14 States and D.C. Have Gained Access to 12 Months of Postpartum Coverage Through Medicaid and CHIP Extensions
In April of this year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released details about a new program called “Birthing-Friendly”. This new program that can be accessed through Medicaid, offers 12 months of postpartum coverage. The purpose of this new strategy is to improve maternity care. Since its launch, 14 more states have joined to offer Medicaid expansion. According to CMS, this is the estimated number of parents gaining coverage annually.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 06/6/2022
HHS Extends American Rescue Plan Spending Deadline for States to Expand and Enhance Home- and Community-Based Services for People with Medicaid
Covid 19 has been a wake-up call for all of us but more so for those who have been affected in a long term. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) newsroom, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS has announced that states have an additional year to use funding that came from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). States originally had three years to use available state funds from April 1, 2021, through March 31, 2024. However, now it has increased 1 more year and this is effective through March 31, 2025. The new increase in using state funding will serve and meet the needs of older citizens and people with disabilities.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 05/23/2022
Consumers in Some States May Qualify for a Special Enrollment Period
According to news from Healthcare.gov, consumers may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. This new SEP is due to having potentially misleading information on carriers’ plan data. See the list below to see which carrier companies and states may be affected. If you think you may qualify for this SEP, call your health insurance agent or call our office to help you with the process, 801-901-3519.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 05/09/2022
CMS Approves Extension of Medicaid & CHIP Coverage for 12 Months After Pregnancy in Tennessee, South Carolina
On May 06, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that South Carolina and Tennessee are among the states approved to provide Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for 12 months postpartum. According to CMS, it is estimated that 22,000 and 16,000 pregnant and postpartum individuals will be able to access this opportunity.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 05/02/2022
New Reports Show Record 35 Million People Enrolled in Coverage Related to the Affordable Care Act, with Historic 21 Million People Enrolled in Medicaid Expansion Coverage
According to the CMS (Medicare and Medicaid Services) news, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a report on April 29, 2022. This report indicated that the enrollments for coverage have reached an all-time high of more than 35 million people as of early 2022. These coverage estimates are related to the Affordable Care Act which includes, Medicaid expansion, Marketplace coverage, and the Basic Health Program.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 04/25/2022
CMS Proposes Updates to Reduce Barriers to Coverage, Simplify Medicare Enrollment and Expand Access
According to the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services newsroom, they are proposing a new rule to expand coverage for Medicare beneficiaries and improve health equity. This new rule would provide Medicare coverage a month immediately after enrollment. This will reduce the uninsured period and will also prevent late enrollment penalties for Medicare part B.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 04/18/2022
CMS Announces Key Actions to Reduce Maternal Mortality and Morbidity
This week on CMS news, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) just released more details about the newest program called “Birthing-Friendly”. This new program is intended to improve maternity care, offer Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for 12 months after pregnancy, and allow consumers to choose hospitals with the best maternity care. States such as Louisiana, Virginia, New Jersey, and Illinois have already started to implement this new program.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 04/11/2022
Eligible Individuals Can Receive Second COVID-19 Booster Shot at No Cost
According to the CMS newsroom, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will now pay second for Covid-19 boosters. Eligible individuals will either get a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals who have Medicaid coverage can also get COVID-19 vaccines that include boosters, at no cost. CMS continues to work in making sure individuals have access to Covid-19 vaccines.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 04/04/2022
Thousands More People with Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Now Eligible to Access Critical Postpartum Coverage Thanks to the American Rescue Plan
According to the CMS newsroom, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced that as many as 720,000 pregnant and postpartum people across the United States could be guaranteed Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for a full 12 months after pregnancy thanks to the American Rescue Plan (ARP). These are efforts in hopes to decrease deaths from pregnancy.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 03/28/2022
On 12-Year Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, New HHS Report Shows Ways the Biden-Harris Administration’s American Rescue Plan Investments Are Lowering Health Care Costs and Expanding Coverage
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reported Biden-Harris’s efforts to provide more coverage to the American people. According to a report published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration; 2.8 million more consumers are receiving tax credits in 2022 compared to 2021.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 03/21/2022
Statement from CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure on President Biden’s State of the Union
Since Biden took office, CMS has strived to provide coverage to 14.5 million people through the Health Insurance Marketplaces. So far, the CMS has encouraged states to provide Medicaid coverage for a full 12 months after childbirth and has also provided more access to home and community-based services. President Biden strives to provide a better health care system and CMS is determined to be a part of this new goal.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 03/14/2022
CMS Redesigns Accountable Care Organization Model to Provide Better Care for People with Traditional Medicare
In an attempt to follow Biden-Harris Administration’s focus on improving the health care system, the CMS launched a new organization. This new organization will be called Accountable Care Organization (ACO). The ACO will provide a patient-centered care system focusing on providing a better health care experience.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 02/28/2022
CMS Expands Coverage of Lung Cancer Screening with Low Dose Computed Tomography
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a national coverage determination (NCD) to improve health outcomes for people with lung cancer. This provides coverage for lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT).
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 02/14/2022
CMS Makes Nursing Home COVID-19 Booster Vaccination Data Available Online, Increasing Transparency for Consumers
In order to increase transparency for consumers, the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services is providing data showing all residents and staff the average rates of facilities that have acquired COVID-19 vaccine boosters. This data will compare and show the average at a national and state level.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 02/07/2022
Free at-home COVID test kits: How many will your insurance cover?
The Biden-Harris administration recently required insurance carriers to pay for in-home COVID-19 tests. Insurance companies will now cover the cost of 8 tests per month. If you purchase a test with an out-of-network pharmacy, your insurance company will be able to reimburse up to $12 cap.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 01/31/2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will fund $49.4 million to organizations that provide health coverage to children, parents, and pregnant women. This is done in an attempt to reduce the number of uninsured children in different organizations.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 01/10/2022
A mere 13.6 million Americans have enrolled in health coverage for the year 2022. This marks a historic time for most people to sign for health coverage. Since president Biden passed the American Rescue Plan (ARP) more Americans have qualified for savings thus making these healthcare plans more affordable and more accessible for people than in other previous years.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 11/15/2021
CMS Repeals MCIT/R&N Rule; Will Consider Other Coverage Pathways to Enhance Access to Innovative Medical Devices
The Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS) is repealing the Medicare Coverage of Innovative Technology and “Reasonable and Necessary” (MCIT/R&N) because of concerns this new technology might not be helping Medicare patients. Although CMS supports new technology to improve medical devices for their patients, they will continue prioritizing the patient’s health instead of bringing new technology.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 11/08/2021
Biden-Harris Administration Issues Emergency Regulation Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Health Care Workers
In order to provide a safe environment for those seeking health care, the Biden-Harris administration is requiring health care staff to get vaccinated. This attempt is to ensure patients and their families more safety in health care facilities.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 11/01/2021
CMS Takes Decisive Steps to Reduce Health Care Disparities Among Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and End-Stage Renal Disease
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is working to provide better care for patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). In order to bring equal care to End-Stage Renal Disease patients with low income, the ESRD Treatment Choices (ETC) is attempting to work with dialysis facilities and health care providers to lower their rates.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 10/25/2021
Marketplace 2022 Open Enrollment Fact Sheet
Due to the significant impact of COVID-19, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Biden-Harris Administration are making strong efforts to assist consumers to enroll and re-enroll in a healthcare plan. This is done by launching vigorous outreach and increasing assistance in educating consumers.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 10/18/2021
Kentucky, Maine, and New Mexico Launch State Marketplaces for 2022 Coverage
This year, Kentucky, Maine, and New Mexico have joined to launch their own Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange for 2022 coverage. The Biden-Harris Administration supports states that want to provide specific insurance needs to their residents.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 10/04/2021
CMS Will Pay for COVID-19 Booster Shots, Eligible Consumers Can Receive at No Cost
Through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP), the Biden administration mandated that CHIP and Medicaid beneficiaries and most commercial insurances cover COVID-19 vaccines and their administration. These plans will now cover COVID-19 booster shots through Pfizer.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 9/12/2021
Biden-Harris Administration Invests $20 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding to Improve Access to Affordable and Comprehensive Health Insurance.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), is awarding $20 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) grant funding to State-based Marketplaces (SBMs) to increase consumer access to affordable, comprehensive health insurance coverage. The grants will be used by 21 SBMs to modernize IT systems and/or conduct targeted consumer outreach activities to help make health care coverage enrollment smoother. As a result, consumers will have access to increased financial assistance, and eligibility determinations will be made faster.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 8/26/2021
Increased Access to Healthcare Navigators
The Biden-Harris Administration is expanding the number of Navigator organizations to help people enroll in coverage through the Marketplace, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in 30 states with a Federally-Facilitated Marketplace. Through $80 million in grant awards for the 2022 plan year, 60 Navigator awardee organizations will be able to train and certify more than 1,500 Navigators to help uninsured consumers find affordable and comprehensive health coverage.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 8/15/2021
Obamacare and Healthcare Access for Minorities
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) reduced the ranks of uninsured Americans, but a recent study shows that many U.S. states did little to close racial gaps in health coverage.
See the full article here.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 8/09/2021
American Rescue Plan Batch Redetermination of APTC
For a select group of consumers who have their plans through the federal marketplace, a batch redetermination will issue and become effective September 1, 2021. If someone has not refiled their health insurance application to take advantage of the increased tax subsidy under the American Rescue Plan Act, their applications and financial support will now be automatic re determined. The group of consumers this redetermination applies to include consumers who:
- Are APTC-eligible in their latest application version; and
- Have a share of premium they currently are paying after APTC great than $0; and
- Elected to apply their full APTC amount to their plan; and
- Have not updated their enrollment after April 1, if they have not received UC, or after July 1, they have attested to receiving UC.
See CMS slides here for more information.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 8/01/2021
CMS Issues Guidance to Ensure Consumers Continue Receiving Financial Assistance for HealthCare.Gov Coverage
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in coordination with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is releasing guidance to ensure consumers continue to receive the tax credits they are eligible for through their Marketplace plan. For plan years 2021 and 2022, CMS will not remove the financial help consumers enrolled through the Health Insurance Marketplace® receive to pay for their health coverage if they did not file tax returns and reconcile a previous year’s premium tax credit. However, consumers are generally still required to file and reconcile premium tax credits with the IRS for their federal income tax returns, with the exception of consumers who received excess premium tax credits in plan year 2020. Anyone who received excess tax credits for year 2020 was granted forgiveness on repaying any of the tax credit back due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 7/26/2021
University of Utah Health Awarded on Newsweek’s World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2021 List
University of Utah Health has been awarded on Newsweek’s list of World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2021. This prestigious award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The awards list was announced on June 9th, 2021 and can currently be viewed on Newsweek’s website.
Healthcare Reform News Update for 7/19/2021
Healthcare enrollments surpass 2 Million during 2021 Special Enrollment Period
Healthcare enrollments surpass 2 Million during 2021 special enrollment period ahead of Aug. 15 deadline. “The American Rescue Plan has made health coverage more affordable and accessible than ever – and people are signing up. Health coverage provides the peace of mind that every American deserves,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “Through August 15, the American people have an opportunity to select a quality health care plan that works for them, with costs that are at an all-time low. CMS is dedicated to ensuring people in our communities have the coverage they need.”
Healthcare Reform News Update for 7/12/2021
Intermountain Healthcare in Utah is closing 25 of its 26 Retail Pharmacies
Intermountain healthcare in Utah is closing 25 of its 26 retail pharmacies. Inpatient pharmacies will not be affected. Intermountain healthcare will now begin referring patients to CVS. The retail pharmacies suffered 11 million in loses in 2020 and has seen 6 million in loses so far in 2021. Intermountain healthcare will transfer prescriptions and inventory to CVS Pharmacy by August 2021.