Category: Health Care Reform

America’s health care system is undergoing many changes – it’s hard for insurance professionals to keep updated let alone consumers. Here we make it easy and publish daily articles on the changes and challenges that health care reform has ahead.

Employer-based health insurance premiums are skyrocketing

H. Cutner
Health insurance Premiums skyrocket'

The average family is paying 47 percent more than they were a decade ago, outpacing inflation and wage growth. Americans who receive their health insurance through their employers are paying substantially higher premiums in 2021 than they were in 2011, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation report. Employer-sponsored health insurance has seen a 47 percent rise in premiums, said the report. This health insurance premium rise has been moving faster than wage growth (31 percent) and inflation (23 percent) that took place during that same decade. This year, annual…

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Many consumers still can’t afford Virginia health insurance premiums

Nordstrom
Virginia health insurance costs

A new state Joint Commission on Heath Care report showed that silver plans remain costly. Though the American Rescue Plan has broadened subsidies and has brought plans within reach for more people through the Affordable Care Act, Virginia health insurance premiums remain high enough that many people still struggle to afford the costs. The state appears to be struggling to keep its health plan premiums under control. The state’s Joint Commission on Health Care determined that the average cost of silver Virginia health insurance plans – a mid tier level…

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Health insurance open enrollment has begun

Logan B.
Health insurance Enrollment Form

Across the country, Americans can now purchase their own plans, many of whom now have more choices. Across the country, Americans who purchase their own health insurance can now do so for 2022 on the federal or state exchanges as the enrollment window has opened. The open enrollment period will continue until next year into January 2022. In California, residents can purchase their health insurance through Covered California, the country’s largest state-run plan marketplace. The plans sold through the exchanges are for people who don’t already receive coverage through their…

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Colorado health insurance coverage must now include transgender care

Logan B.
Health insurance coverage - transgender flag in shape of heart

The state announced that medical policies must cover gender confirmation care for transgender people. State officials in Colorado have announced that as of 2023, health insurance coverage in the state must include gender-confirmation care for transgender patients. The change has received the federal government’s approval, referring to it as a “landmark step.” The federal government has called this change a “landmark step” in addressing health insurance coverage disparities. The state’s change means that private care plans must cover gender confirmation surgery, hormone therapy, and facial surgery for transgender people. “This…

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Kentucky health insurance marketplace brings back individual plans

Nordstrom
Kentucky health insurance - Kentucky - American Flag - Health

State residents seeking plan options will new be able to use the state-based exchange. The Kentucky health insurance exchange has returned to allow residents of the state to be able to purchase individual plans from the state-based marketplace. Governor Andy Beshear returned the exchange to the control of the state itself. The kynect.ky.gov website is currently undergoing a review period meant to allow residents to better understand the coverage options and find the ones best suited to their needs. This way, they will have the opportunity to be ready for…

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One in 6 employees stay at their jobs for the health plan

G. Turner
Health plan - Helath Insurance Plan

A West Health and Gallup study showed that people are sticking with employers that cover them. West Health and Gallup recently released the results of a study in which they found that 16 percent of workers are staying at their jobs in order to keep their health plan. The fear of losing their insurance benefits is locking people into positions they’d like to leave. “Approximately 158 million people, or more than half of the U.S. adult population, receive health insurance via their own employer or the employer of a household…

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Almost three quarters of insurers charge fees or co-pays for COVID-19 insurance coverage

Logan B.
COVID-19 insurance - health insurance increase

An infection leading to hospitalization will now be more expensive to policyholders than it used to be. COVID-19 insurance coverage in a case of hospitalization will now come at a higher price even to those with a health plan due to increased co-pays and fees when compared to earlier in the pandemic. The Kaiser Family Foundation recorded that fewer insurers are waiving out of pocket costs. Researchers from the Kaiser Family Foundation determined that early in the pandemic, 88 percent of the largest American insurers voluntarily waved COVID-19 insurance out…

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