Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
The Countdown Is On To Nov. 15 Enrollment
A second deadline to apply for health insurance is quickly approaching and anyone that wishes to have coverage kick in by the new year must apply by Dec. 15. (Soules, 11/10)
Obamacare鈥檚 second open enrollment begins this Saturday and consumers can already start window-shopping for health policies sold on the federal exchange, Healthcare.gov. (Ehley, 11/11)
Reaching the uninsured may prove more difficult the second time around as the second enrollment season under the Affordable Care Act kicks off Saturday. Florida Health officials are feeling the pressure to re-enroll nearly 1 million Floridians plus recruit new enrollees who sat out the first year 鈥 all in half the time. The three-month enrollment period begins Nov. 15. (Kennedy, 11/10)
Haven鈥檛 thought about the health care law for a while? Now鈥檚 the time. Passed in 2010, the law requires most Americans to have health insurance or pay a fine. While many Americans get health coverage through their employers, starting Nov. 15 consumers who currently have insurance through the federal or state online marketplaces, or exchanges, set up by the law can reenroll. In addition, people who still need health insurance can sign up. Subsidies are available to help many people afford coverage, and some states have expanded their Medicaid programs as part of the law. (Carey, 11/11)
Some large employers will face penalties if they don鈥檛 offer workers health insurance in 2015. In addition, workers can expect to see increased cost-sharing and employers pushing them to 鈥減rivate exchanges鈥 to save money. Kaiser Health News' Mary Agnes Carey and Jay Hancock discuss some of the issues you need to know before open enrollment in the health law鈥檚 marketplaces begins again on November 15 (11/11).
Mind the gap. When the 2015 open enrollment period begins on Nov. 15 for plans sold on the individual market, consumers should act promptly to avoid a gap in coverage. Failing to do so could not only leave you exposed to unexpected medical bills鈥攈ello, appendicitis!鈥攂ut you could also be hit with the penalty for not having health insurance that kicks in if you鈥檙e without coverage for three months or more during the year. The coverage requirement applies to most people in group and individual plans unless they qualify for a hardship or other type of exemption. (Andrews, 11/11)
In the background, the Supreme Court's decision to hear a case regarding the overhaul's insurance subsidies continues to reverberate -
The newest round of open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act begins in less than a week, just as the law comes under a new threat with the Supreme Court鈥檚 decision that it will hear a new challenge questioning its government subsidies. The case raises the stakes for Healthcare.gov too; the last thing the Obama administration needs is a repeat of last year鈥檚 embarrassing technical glitches. (Todd, Murray and Dann, 11/10)