via the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), by email:
Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the latest enrollment figures for Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These programs serve as key connectors to care for more millions of Americans.
H.R. 382 – A bill to terminate the public health emergency declared with respect to COVID-19 (Rep. Guthrie, R-KY, and 19 cosponsors)
H.J. Res. 7 – A joint resolution relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020 (Rep. Gosar, R-AZ, and 51 cosponsors)
The COVID-19 national emergency and public health emergency (PHE) were declared by the Trump Administration in 2020. They are currently set to expire on March 1 and April 11, respectively. At present, the Administration’s plan is to extend the emergency declarations to May 11, and then end both emergencies on that date. This wind-down would align with the Administration’s previous commitments to give at least 60 days’ notice prior to termination of the PHE.
With time running out, Covered California announced new enrollment data and encouraged consumers to sign up for coverage before this year’s open-enrollment period ends.
As of Jan. 29, more than 240,000 consumers had newly signed up for health insurance through Covered California during the current open-enrollment period. In addition, more than 1.5 million Californians have renewed their coverage for another year.
That's a grand total of at least 1,740,000 people...or around 21,000 higher than CMS had reported California being at as of January 15th. Note the "more than" clarifier re. the 1.5M figure; this suggests that the actual total could be as much as ~40K or so higher.
The press release talks about "more than 35 million" being enrolled, but when you look at the actual data, it's almost certainly over 36 million as of today. Here's how they break it out:
Effectuated ACA exchange enrollment as of March 2022: 13,640,412
Medicaid Expansion (newly eligible) as of October 2021: 16,781,800
Medicaid Expansion (previously eligible) as of October 2021: 4,261,277
Basic Health Plan enrollment as of March 2022: 1,135,190
TOTAL: 35,818,679
Notice that even without delving further, the total is already over 35.8 million.
However, there's two important dates to look at here: First, the Medicaid Expansion totals are only up to date as of last October, a good 6 months ago.
Temporary Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Consumers Losing Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Coverage Due to Unwinding of the Medicaid Continuous Enrollment Condition– Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
...Since the onset of the novel coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency (PHE), state Medicaid agencies have made policy, programmatic, and systems changes to respond effectively to the pandemic. State Medicaid agencies also have made changes to qualify for the temporary Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) increase under section 6008 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), including satisfying a continuous enrollment condition for most Medicaid beneficiaries who were enrolled in the program as of or after March 18, 2020.1 Similarly, during the COVID-19 PHE, some states have been granted 1115 demonstration authority to provide continuous enrollment for Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) beneficiaries in addition to other flexibilities that have had this effect.
City leaders to join DC Health Link for whirlwind final weekend of Open Enrollment featuring barbershop outreach, pizza delivery outreach, door-to-door canvassing, and enrollment marathon with unique events at barbershops, Ben's Chili Bowl and all over DC
WHAT/WHO:
Because District residents have only four days left to sign up for health insurance coverage before the Open Enrollment deadline, DC Health Link is crisscrossing the city this weekend to make sure every resident in high uninsured areas of the District has the opportunity to enroll in quality, affordable health insurance. DC Health Link is holding its signature Enrollment Marathon and partnering with local businesses, city leaders, and civic groups to offer District residents FREE one-on-one, and virtual, enrollment help over the weekend at different locations throughout the District. These additional enrollment opportunities will help residents get covered before the Open Enrollment Period ends at midnight January 31, 2023.
There's still likely between 40,000 - 80,000 Qualified Health Plan (QHP) enrollments to be added to the 2023 Open Enrollment Period (OEP) tally from the states which have extended deadlines (through Tuesday, January 31st), but I decided to throw this together today for the hell of it.
The table below charts the first ten years of ACA Open Enrollment Periods, broken out by state. I've also included Basic Health Plan (BHP) enrollment in Minnesota & New York, the only states where BHP programs have been implemented to date.
The states which jump out at me the most in terms of enrollment growth, at least visually, are Florida, Georgia, New York (BHPs) and Texas.
No further analysis or comment here; I just think this is a pretty cool graphic.
About a week and a half ago I received the following email (posted w/permission w/identity removed):
Hello Mr Gaba. Last year I had a BCBS insurance through marketplace and this year I switched to a Physicians Health Plan offering, also through the marketplace. I thought I had done due diligence. I was interested in switching to the University of Michigan system. As I shopped for plans the PHP website listed literally hundreds of potential pcp's near me in Ann Arbor. But as I began to try and sign up with a new doctor and called the number listed for each doc (usually the same U-M switchboard number) I found that none of the docs listed were, in fact, accepting new patients.
At the moment I cannot find a new pcp through my new health insurance. Is this legal? Have I any recourse? Where can I find info on what to do? They suggest that I try to get my former doctor to fill out a prior approval or out of network form...Hoping you can direct me to somewhere; thank you for any direction you can offer me.
First-of-its-kind initiative will help people get the behavioral health care they need as they leave incarceration
Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), approved a first-of-its-kind section 1115 demonstration amendment in California which will provide a set of critical pre-release services and improve access to critically needed care for people returning home from jails and prisons.
For example, Medi-Cal will be able to cover substance-use treatment before a Medicaid beneficiary is released from jail, prison, or youth correctional facility. Additionally, the state will be able to help connect the person to community-based Medicaid providers 90 days prior to their release to ensure they can continue their treatment after they return to the community.
January 11, 2023: CMS marked another important maternal health milestone by approving Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) postpartum coverage expansions in Alabama and a Medicaid postpartum coverage expansion in North Dakota through the American Rescue Plan (ARP). Nationally, more than 439,000 people across 28 states and the District of Columbia now have access to Medicaid and CHIP coverage for a full 12 months following pregnancy — up from just 60 days before the ARP. Postpartum coverage extensions form one of the cornerstones of CMS’ Maternity Care Action Plan — part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis. Click here and here to learn more about Alabama’s approvals, and here to learn more about North Dakota’s approval.
More Than 212,000 Coloradans Signed Up for Health Insurance Coverage During Annual Enrollment Period
DENVER – Connect for Health Colorado (the Marketplace) reports that 201,758 Coloradans enrolled in a health insurance plan during the Open Enrollment Period for 2023 coverage. That is an increase of approximately 3,000 plan enrollments above last year’s total.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Record-Breaking 16.3 Million People Signed Up for Health Care Coverage in ACA Marketplaces During 2022-2023 Open Enrollment Season
Nearly 50% increase in HealthCare.gov signups since President Biden took office, and 3.6 million people signed up for health care coverage on the Marketplaces for the first time this year
Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that a record-breaking more than 16.3 million people have selected an Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace health plan nationwide during the 2023 Marketplace Open Enrollment Period (OEP) that ran from November 1, 2022- January 15, 2023 for most Marketplaces. President Biden promised to strengthen and build on the Affordable Care Act, and this year, the 10th year of ACA Open Enrollment, more Americans signed up for high-quality, affordable health insurance through the ACA Marketplaces than ever before. Since President Biden took office, the number of people who have signed up for an affordable health care plan through HealthCare.gov has increased by nearly 50%. Because of the President’s plan, millions of working families saved an average of $800 on their health insurance premiums last year.
MORE THAN 182,000 ENROLLED FOR 2023 COVERAGE THROUGH MARYLAND HEALTH CONNECTION
Enrollment reached an all-time high in 10th year of state-based marketplace
BALTIMORE (Jan. 24, 2023) – A record number of Marylanders – 182,166 – enrolled in coverage for 2023 through Maryland Health Connection, the state’s health insurance marketplace in its 10th year of operation.
Open enrollment began Nov. 1, 2022, and ended Jan. 15. People who enrolled in January will start coverage Feb. 1.
“We’re very happy to continue to have success in reaching Marylanders in need of affordable health coverage,” said Michele Eberle, executive director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, which runs the state’s health insurance marketplace. Total enrollment has grown five consecutive years and by more than 15 percent since just before Covid-19 and the public health emergency.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Covered California hit the streets of downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, to paint the town and encourage the uninsured to sign up for health insurance coverage. In a partnership with a diverse collaborative of local and California-based artists, Covered California unveiled a large-scale street art piece at the historic Grand Central Market to remind Californians that they have through Jan. 31 to sign up for comprehensive health care coverage.
“We are here to spread the word across Los Angeles and the rest of the state that time is running out to sign up for quality health insurance through Covered California,” said Jessica Altman, executive director of Covered California. “Visit CoveredCA.com today, find out how much financial help you can receive, and how affordable coverage can be for you and your family.”
Nevada Health Link Enrolled 96,379 Nevadans in Health Insurance During Open Enrollment
(CARSON CITY, NV) – Nevada Health Link is excited to announce that 96,379 Nevadans have enrolled in qualified, affordable health insurance plans during this year’s Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which ran from November 1, 2022 through January 15, 2023.
Of the over 96,000 Nevadans who enrolled in health insurance plans through NevadaHealthLink.com, 18,117 were new enrollees, meaning they were not previously enrolled in a plan on the marketplace.
“We are thrilled that thousands of Nevadans have taken advantage of their health and financial protection by enrolling in health plans this Open Enrollment,” said Ryan High, Executive Director of Nevada Health Link. “Our top priority is ensuring Nevadans are protected and have access to quality coverage and health care.”
This report provides a summary of information for week one of the beWellnm health insurance individual Marketplace Open Enrollment Period for plan year 2023 (OEP 2023). The report contains data from the beWellnm eligibility and enrollment platform for OEP 2023, and includes an overview of the following:
plan selections
new enrollees
enrollees renewing coverage
Customer Engagement Center call volumes
website traffic
Enrollment
This section contains enrollment data through January 15, 2022.
1. Total Plan Selections (net): Count of unique individuals who have selected a Plan Year (PY) 2023 Marketplace medical plan. Count includes all new and re-enrolling consumers (defined in Indicators 2 and 3), regardless of whether the consumer has paid the first month premium. Count does not include plans that were canceled or terminated.: 40,689
Approximately 35,000 Coloradans Chose the Colorado Option During the 2023 Open Enrollment
Insurance Commissioner Conway: “We’re working on making this program even better.”
DENVER - As announced by the Governor during his State of the State speech, the preliminary 2023 open enrollment figures for the Colorado Option make it clear that the Coloradans are excited and want the Colorado Option.
As of January 10th, approximately 35,000 people have enrolled in Colorado Option plans - approximately 25,000 through Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s health insurance marketplace, and another 10,000 via OmniSalud.
I admit to not really understanding why the Vice story is making the rounds this week in particular. The article is from mid-November, and the study by researchers at the National Bureau of Economic Research which it references was first published in early October...in fact I wrote about it at the time.
Every 10 days, more that 8,000 unvaccinated Republican voters are dying of COVID-19, five times the rate for Democrats, who have had at least 2 vaccination shots.
Eligible MNsure enrollees will save an average of $6,220 this year
ST. PAUL, Minn.—During MNsure’s recent open enrollment period, 129,537 Minnesotans signed up for comprehensive health coverage for 2023. MNsure’s tenth open enrollment period ran from November 1, 2022, through January 15, 2023, and was one of the most successful to date for the state’s health insurance marketplace.
“This year nearly 130,000 Minnesotans will have important financial protections and the peace of mind that comes with being enrolled in comprehensive health coverage available through MNsure,” said MNsure CEO Nate Clark. “MNsure’s tenth open enrollment period was a great success for the organization and the Minnesotans we serve. We helped nearly 60% of enrollees access financial help that will lower their health care costs by an average $6,220.”
Residents Urged to Sign up for Health Coverage as Get Covered New Jersey Open Enrollment Deadline Nears
Total signups over 321K as residents continue to benefit from record savings; Two weeks left to enroll
TRENTON – New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Marlene Caride today announced that more than 321,000 New Jersey residents signed up for a 2023 health insurance plan through the state’s official health insurance marketplace, Get Covered New Jersey, in the first nine weeks of the Open Enrollment Period that started on November 1, 2022.
With just two weeks left in the Open Enrollment Period, Commissioner Caride urged residents in need of health coverage to review their options and sign up today. Open Enrollment for 2023 health insurance ends January 31st, 2023 in New Jersey.
Washingtonians who qualify for Cascade Care Savings can still sign up and save
The wait is over — Cascade Care Savings is here! Open enrollment may have ended but that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck if you haven’t purchased a plan. A new special enrollment period is available to individuals and families who make up to 250% of the federal poverty level.
“Cascade Care Savings has opened the door for thousands of Washingtonians to secure high-quality health insurance at any time of the year,” Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) interim CEO Jim Crawford said. “This special enrollment period is available monthly to those who qualify for Cascade Care Savings who are not already in an eligible plan.”
Completed applications/ redeterminations processed through the integrated eligibility system: 25,972
The 108,110 figure may change slightly when the official Open Enrollment Period (OEP) report is released due to last-minute data corrections, but assuming this is the final figure, it means Connecticut's OEP Qualified Health Plan (QHP) enrollment is down just over 4% year over year, from 112,633 during the 2022 OEP. As I noted last week, this is part of a strange trend for 2023: While Medicaid expansion states on the federal exchange are up ~10% vs. last year, most state-based marketplaces (SBMs), including Connecticut, are down somewhat this year.
I'll be posting a second entry addressing that article, the study it cites, and some misinformation about the red/blue divide later this week, but first, let's take a look at where things stand as of mid-January.
Administration policies helped increase coverage among younger adults, Latino individuals, American Indian/Alaska Native, and non-English speaking adults
Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a new report showing that Biden-Harris Administration efforts were linked to large gains in health insurance coverage of Americans between 2019 and 2021. The Biden-Harris Administration has made expanding access to health insurance and lowering health care costs for America’s families a top priority, and under its leadership, the national uninsured rate reached an all-time low early in 2022. The report, from the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), shows that larger gains in coverage occurred for demographic groups with higher historical uninsured rates, including younger adults, Latino individuals, American Indian/Alaska Native, and non-English speaking adults.
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is urging Maine residents who lack affordable health insurance to sign up by the deadline of Sunday, January 15, for a 2023 health plan through CoverME.gov, Maine’s health insurance marketplace.
At CoverME.gov, Maine people can compare private plans, apply for financial assistance, and enroll in a 2023 health plan. Health plans offered on CoverME.gov provide quality, comprehensive insurance that protects consumers if they have an accident or major illness and fully pays for preventive screenings for diseases such as cancer and diabetes. This year, more Maine people than ever can get financial help to afford their plans.
As I noted in yesterday's analysis of the semi-final 2023 Open Enrollment Period report released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, one of the most striking data points we're seeing this year is a significant drop in year over year on-exchange enrollment across a number of states operating their own ACA exchanges...even as enrollment continues to surge across states hosted on the federal exchange (HealthCare.Gov).
Overall, QHP enrollment in HC.gov states (Federally Facilitated Marketplaces, or FFMs) is up 19.6% vs. the same point last year, while QHP enrollment in state-based marketplace states (SBMs) is down 2.8% year over year:
ST. PAUL, Minn.—Minnesotans looking for health coverage in 2023 have until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 15, to enroll in private health plans through MNsure.
“More Minnesotans than ever before are eligible to shop for lower cost health insurance and access financial help through MNsure,” said MNsure CEO Nate Clark. “Don’t assume you won’t qualify for savings. Take another look, review your options, and sign up by the January 15 deadline so you don’t miss your opportunity to get comprehensive health coverage in 2023 and save hundreds of dollars per month.”
On average, MNsure enrollees will save $560/month in 2023. All plans sold through MNsure are guaranteed to cover a list of essential health benefits that includes prescription drugs, emergency services and preventive care like flu shots and cancer screenings. Plans that don’t provide comprehensive coverage can leave you at risk for high, unexpected medical costs if you get sick or need to go to a hospital.
Hispanic leaders to discuss overcoming barriers and access to health care and the state of enrollment opportunities at the 8th Annual Hispanic Leadership Health Forum
WHAT:
While recent national studies show the Hispanic community has seen among the biggest drops in uninsured rates thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), those same studies show that Hispanics have the highest uninsured rates of any racial or ethnic group nationwide. In 2020, the US Census reported that 49.9% of Hispanics had private health insurance coverage, as compared to 73.9% for non-Hispanic whites.
Marylanders have until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15, to enroll in a health or dental plan for 2023. Consumers who enroll by Jan. 15 will have coverage starting Feb. 1, 2023.
Visit MarylandHealthConnection.gov or download the free Enroll MHC mobile app to compare plans and enroll. New this year, Marylanders can get connected with a broker in 30 minutes or less by visiting here. Or call 1-855-642-8572 toll-free from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. Help is available in more than 200 languages. Local health insurance navigators are also available to answer questions and help you enroll in person, by phone or on your computer.
This report provides a summary of information for week one of the beWellnm health insurance individual Marketplace Open Enrollment Period for plan year 2023 (OEP 2023). The report contains data from the beWellnm eligibility and enrollment platform for OEP 2023, and includes an overview of the following:
plan selections
new enrollees
enrollees renewing coverage
Customer Engagement Center call volumes
website traffic
Enrollment
This section contains enrollment data through January 7, 2022.
1. Total Plan Selections (net): Count of unique individuals who have selected a Plan Year (PY) 2023 Marketplace medical plan. Count includes all new and re-enrolling consumers (defined in Indicators 2 and 3), regardless of whether the consumer has paid the first month premium. Count does not include plans that were canceled or terminated.: 38,384
Enrollment Assistors Will Be Available to Educate Shoppers on Their Health Plan Options and Help Them Enroll
Consumers Who Enroll by January 15th Will Have Coverage on February 1st
ALBANY, N.Y. (January 11, 2023) – NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, today announced it is once again partnering with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to educate New Yorkers about enrolling in quality, affordable health insurance at select winter farmers’ markets across the state. Throughout January and February, certified enrollment assistors will provide in-person support by helping market shoppers compare health plan options, answering questions, scheduling appointments, and walking them through the enrollment process.
Customers have until midnight on Jan. 15 to enroll through Washington Healthplanfinder
The time to enroll in your 2023 health plan is nearing its end; Washington Healthplanfinder’s 10th open enrollment period concludes on Jan. 15. Join the more than 224,000 Washingtonians who’ve secured their 2023 health plan; visit wahealthplanfinder.org by no later than Jan. 15 to double check that your plan is the right plan for you and your family in the upcoming year.
DENVER— This Sunday, January 15th, is the last day of Colorado’s annual Open Enrollment Period for health insurance. Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s official health insurance marketplace, reports that more than 192,000 people have signed up for a 2023 health insurance plan during Open Enrollment so far.
As I noted this morning, Florida has by far the highest percent of its total statewide population enrolled in on-exchange ACA policies, with over 3.15 million Floridians enrolled so far (likely around 3.24 million when the final weekly numbers are included). This is 14.2% of Florida's total 2022 population according to the U.S. Census Bureau, or 1 in 7 residents of the state.
What about the other states? The table below sorts total 2023 OEP enrollment as of either 1/07/23 for federal exchange states (HC.gov) or 12/31/22 for state-based marketplace states (SBM) by what percent of the total state population has signed up so far. For New York and Minnesota the percent of total population includes each states Basic Health Plan (BHP) enrollment as well, since everyone enrolled in those plans would normally be eligible for a QHP instead:
Nearly 16 Million People Have Signed Up for Affordable Health Coverage in ACA Marketplaces Since Start of Open Enrollment Period
This record-breaking enrollment represents a 13% increase over last year, including over 3 million people new to the Marketplaces.
Open enrollment continues through January 15
Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that about 15.9 million people have selected an Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace health plan nationwide since the start of the 2023 Marketplace Open Enrollment Period (OEP) on November 1. This represents activity through January 7, 2023 (Week 10) for the 33 Marketplaces using HealthCare.gov and through December 31, 2022 (Week 9) for the 18 State-based Marketplaces (SBMs) in 17 states and the District of Columbia that are using their own eligibility and enrollment platforms. Total plan selections include 3.1 million people (20% of total) who are new to the Marketplaces for 2023, and 12.8 million people (80% of total) who had active 2022 coverage and made a plan selection for 2023 coverage or were automatically re-enrolled. About 1.8 million more people have signed up for health insurance, or a 13% increase, from this time last year.
Pennie urges all Pennsylvanians without health coverage to visit pennie.com to access affordable monthly premiums on high-quality plans for their 2023 coverage.
Philadelphia, PA – Pennsylvania Insurance Department and Pennie officials joined leaders at the Health Annex in Philadelphia to remind Pennsylvanians that the final deadline for 2023 health coverage through Pennie, Pennsylvania’s official online health insurance marketplace, is January 15. This marks the final opportunity to access affordable monthly premiums on quality health coverage that begins February 1.
Amid rising costs of services, including healthcare services, Pennie helps keep costs down by providing qualified customers with savings on their monthly cost of coverage. Savings on coverage is available to most Pennie customers, nine out of 10 qualify and on average, receive over $500 a month in premium savings.
Short-term, limited duration (STLD) health insurance has long been offered to individuals through the non-group market and through associations. The product was designed for people who experience a temporary gap in health coverage.1 Unlike other products that are considered “limited benefit” or “excepted benefit” policies – such as cancer-only policies or hospital indemnity policies that pay a fixed dollar benefit per inpatient stay – short-term policies are generally considered to be “major medical” coverage; however, short-term policies are distinguished from other comprehensive major medical policies because they only provide coverage for a limited term, typically less than 365 days. Short-term policies are also characterized by other significant limitations, including the types of services covered, often with a dollar maximum.
Unfortunately, last night I received an email notice which illustrated one of the key problems with Mastodon--a problem which, as it happens, is also at the core of Twitter's current woes: Content moderation policies & enforcement.
Nevadans have until January 15 at 11:59 p.m. to enroll in health and dental plans for 2023
WHAT: Less than one week remains to enroll in qualified, affordable health and dental coverage through NevadaHealthLink.com, the online health insurance marketplace operated by the state agency, the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange (Exchange). Open Enrollment began on November 1, 2022 and ends on January 15, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.
90% of Nevadans who shop for plans through Nevada Health Link qualify for premium tax credits to help lower the costs of monthly premiums. Nearly half of all Nevadans with plans through Nevada Health Link have plans under $100 per month.
Since November 1, 43,546 Nevadans have actively enrolled or re-enrolled in one of the Exchange’s 163 Qualified Health Plans (QHP) for Plan Year 2023.
ST. PAUL, Minn.—MNsure, Minnesota’s health insurance marketplace, encourages consumers to be aware of scams targeting Minnesotans who need health insurance during the open enrollment period that runs through January 15, 2023. Scammers may use high-pressure phone calls or misleading websites to obtain personal information or try to fool Minnesotans into purchasing products that do not provide comprehensive coverage.
For example, if you search for "MNsure" online, you may see ads or websites that appear to be the official MNsure website but are not. Some of these sites collect your contact information and may bombard you with phone calls. Scammers also may claim they can find you a better plan for less money or threaten that your coverage will be discontinued if you don’t re-enroll.
Here are four tips to verify you’re working with MNsure and purchasing comprehensive health care coverage:
Thanks to the American Rescue Plan & Inflation Reduction Act, residents of every state + DC who earn less than 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), around $20,400/yr for a single adult, is eligible for a $0-premium "Secret Platinum" plan. If they earn between 150 - 200% FPL (roughly $27,200/yr), they're eligible for a slightly less-generous "Secret Platinum" plan with premiums less than 2% of their income (just $45/month for a single adult).
As I explained here, while Silver ACA plans normally only cover around 70% of the average enrollees' medical expenses (in aggregate), the ACA's "Cost Sharing Reduction" (CSR) subsidies mean that eligible enrollees who select "CSR Silver" plans will actually have 94% of their expenses covered for the < 150% crowd and 87% of their expenses covered for the 150 - 200% crowd.
Since Gold plans cover around 80% of expenses & Platinum plans cover roughly 90%, this means that "CSR Silver" is effectively "Secret Platinum" plans for anyone earning less than 200% FPL.
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Want to get healthy or stay well in 2023? Start the year off right by adding “get covered” to your new year’s resolutions and signing up for comprehensive health insurance through MNsure, where Minnesotans choose medical and dental coverage. January 15, 2023, is the last day of Minnesota’s open enrollment period and the deadline to enroll in health coverage that begins on February 1.
Getting covered ensures that you can access the health care you need throughout the year, putting you one step closer to achieving your new year’s health and wellness goals. All plans sold through MNsure are guaranteed to cover a list of essential health benefits that includes prescription drugs, emergency services, and preventive care like flu shots and cancer screenings.
This report provides a summary of information for week one of the beWellnm health insurance individual Marketplace Open Enrollment Period for plan year 2023 (OEP 2023). The report contains data from the beWellnm eligibility and enrollment platform for OEP 2023, and includes an overview of the following:
plan selections
new enrollees
enrollees renewing coverage
Customer Engagement Center call volumes
website traffic
Enrollment
This section contains enrollment data through December 31, 2022.
1. Total Plan Selections (net): Count of unique individuals who have selected a Plan Year (PY) 2023 Marketplace medical plan. Count includes all new and re-enrolling consumers (defined in Indicators 2 and 3), regardless of whether the consumer has paid the first month premium. Count does not include plans that were canceled or terminated.: 38,150
There is still time left to shop, switch and enroll in the best health plan for you in 2023 by Jan. 15
With just two weeks left in open enrollment, more than 222,000 Washingtonians have enrolled in their 2023 individual health plan through Washington Healthplanfinder. Driven by the availability of Cascade Care Savings, a new state premium subsidy, more than 60% of customers are enrolled in a Cascade Care plan for 2023 —double the number of enrollees in these plans in 2022.
For the first time, retail pharmacies, from corner drugstores to major chains like CVS and Walgreens, will be allowed to offer abortion pills in the United States under a regulatory change made Tuesday by the Food and Drug Administration. The action could significantly expand access to abortion through medication.
Until now, mifepristone — the first pill used in the two-drug medication abortion regimen — could be dispensed only by a few mail-order pharmacies or by specially certified doctors or clinics. Under the new F.D.A. rules, patients will still need a prescription from a certified health care provider, but any pharmacy that agrees to accept those prescriptions and abide by certain other criteria can dispense the pills in its stores and by mail order.
This would be a pretty big deal anyway, but given the Supreme Court's recent repeal of Roe vs. Wade, it obviously takes on even more significance.
As part of Biden-Harris Administration efforts to strengthen Medicaid, new guidance will help states expand access to health care services and tackle unmet social needs
Today, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), is releasing guidance on an innovative opportunity for states to address health-related social needs for people with Medicaid coverage through the use of “in lieu of services and settings” in Medicaid managed care. This option will help states offer alternative benefits that take aim at a range of unmet health-related social needs, such as housing instability and food insecurity, to help enrollees maintain their coverage and to improve their health outcomes. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to protecting and strengthening Medicaid. Today’s action is CMS’ latest step to drive innovation in the Medicaid program, strengthen access to care, improve population health, and reduce health disparities.
via the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), by email:
Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the latest enrollment figures for Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These programs serve as key connectors to care for more millions of Americans.
Medicare
As of September 2022, 65,103,807 people are enrolled in Medicare. This is an increase of 160,823 since the last report.
34,984,295 are enrolled in Original Medicare.
30,119,512 are enrolled in Medicare Advantage or other health plans. This includes enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans with and without prescription drug coverage.
50,574,579 are enrolled in Medicare Part D. This includes enrollment in stand-alone prescription drug plans as well as Medicare Advantage plans that offer prescription drug coverage.
Enrollment Season for Health Insurance Continues Through January 15th
Coloradans Can Still Enroll in 2023 Coverage
DENVER— As of January 4th, more than 188,000 Coloradans have signed up for a health insurance plan through Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s official health insurance marketplace, during the annual Open Enrollment period. This is approximately 2,300 enrollments ahead of the same day last year. 75 percent of customers applying are qualifying for financial help to reduce the cost of their insurance.
But there is still time to enroll. With the enrollment deadline approaching on January 15, 2023, Coloradans have less than two weeks left to choose a plan for coverage that will start on February 1, 2023.
Deadline to enroll in a health insurance plan for 2023 is January 15
HARTFORD, Conn. (Jan. 4, 2023) — Access Health CT (AHCT) today announced it will host six enrollment fairs in January to help Connecticut residents shop, compare and enroll or renew their health coverage during the current Open Enrollment period, which ends on Jan. 15, 2023. Enrollment fairs offer free, in-person help from enrollment specialists and will take place in Bloomfield, Haddam, Hamden, Stamford, Vernon and Willimantic.
Open Enrollment began Nov. 1, 2022 and runs through Jan. 15, 2023. Customers who enroll between Dec. 16, 2022 and Jan. 15, 2023 will have coverage starting Feb. 1, 2023.
Connecticut residents who are interested in attending these events can book an appointment online. To book an appointment, visit AccessHealthCT.com/enrollment-events. Walk-in appointments are welcome.
The enrollment fairs will take place at the following locations and times:
The graph below shows the partisan COVID death rate gap for every month since the pandemic began in earnest in March 2020. Specifically, it looks at the reddest 20% and bluest 20% of the total U.S. population based on the 2020 Presidential election results at the county level.
The reddest quintile includes roughly 65.1 million people living in counties where Donald Trump received 62.4% or more of the vote in 2020; the bluest quintile includes around 66.8 million living in counties where Trump received less than 31.6%. While the raw numbers aren't quite equal, both have been adjusted for actual population.
The initial COVID wave in March - May 2020, of course, devastated Blue America, primarily densely populated (and heavily Democratic) New York and New Jersey, while leaving Red America (mostly sparsely populated, rural Republican counties) relatively unscathed.
