Blogs

PPACA’s Impact on Insurance Premiums: Actuarial Study Predicts 32% Increase in Costs Over Next Five Years

April 19, 2013 - 9:53 AM

A new report by the Independent Society of Actuaries predicts that individual market health insurers could experience as much as a 32% increase on average in health care costs from 2014 through 2017 due to changes brought on by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). This would result in higher premiums as the increased costs are passed on to those who purchase health insurance in the individual markets. 

The report refers to an “average” increase in costs, but the...

Author: Michael Gomes

Proposed Rule Updates Role of Navigators, Non-Navigators in Exchanges

April 17, 2013 - 11:49 AM

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released an interim final rule that clarifies the role of Navigator and non-Navigator assistance personnel employed by both state and federal health insurance Exchanges as established by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The proposed rule was published in the April 5 Federal Register. 

Navigators are those deemed by PPACA to provide assistance to consumers interested in purchasing health insurance coverage through state-based...

Author: Michael Gomes

Portion of Small Business Health Options Program Delayed to 2015

April 5, 2013 - 11:11 AM

The Obama administration has announced via new rules that they will delay a portion of the implementation of the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) to 2015.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) calls for the creation and implementation of health benefits Exchanges for both individuals and small...

Author: Michael Gomes

Proposed Legislation to Streamline Insurance Agent Licensing while Preserving Key Areas of State Authority

April 2, 2013 - 4:32 PM

Legislation has been re-introduced in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to help streamline insurance agent licensing between states while preserving key areas of state authority. Called the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act of 2013 (NARAB II), the bill would create an independent nonprofit entity comprised of insurance market representatives, state insurance commissioners, and other key stakeholders to help facilitate the ability...

Author: Michael Gomes

HHS Issues New Rules on the Implementation of Health Insurance Reform

March 28, 2013 - 9:29 AM

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released new proposed, final rules on a host of issues relating to the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Many of these reforms will be implemented on January 1, 2014. The rule will be effective on April 30, 2013.

The rule, published on March 11, 2013, provides detail to a wide range of reforms under PPACA, covering additional explanations or updates to:

  • Federal...
Author: Michael Gomes

HHS Releases Draft Application for Individuals & Families as part of the Online Exchange Enrollment Process: Many Express Concerns about Complexity

March 26, 2013 - 2:08 PM

Last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the draft paper application, and corresponding online version, to receive benefits through a state health benefits Exchange. 

The application, available here, has been criticized by many industry insiders who were hoping for a simple, straight forward application that would ease the burden of the individual mandate on consumers. Others are more supportive, stating that...

Author: Michael Gomes

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