Healthcare insurance news

Here are some recent news updates on healthcare insurance:

1. Affordable Care Act (ACA) Update

• The Trump administration has announced plans to allow states to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients, which could lead to millions of people losing their health insurance. (Source: The New York Times)
• The ACA's individual mandate penalty has been eliminated, but some states are considering implementing their own individual mandates to encourage people to purchase health insurance. (Source: Healthcare Finance News)

2. Health Insurance Premiums

• Health insurance premiums are expected to increase by an average of 4.4% in 2020, according to a report by the Society of Actuaries. (Source: Modern Healthcare)
• Some health insurance companies are considering increasing premiums by as much as 20% in certain states due to rising healthcare costs and uncertainty around the ACA. (Source: The Hill)

3. Short-Term Health Insurance

• The Trump administration has expanded the availability of short-term health insurance plans, which can be cheaper than traditional health insurance but often provide fewer benefits and more limited coverage. (Source: The New York Times)
• Critics argue that short-term plans can lead to a sicker and more expensive pool of patients, which could drive up costs for traditional health insurance plans. (Source: The Washington Post)

4. Medicare and Medicaid

• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed changes to the Medicare Advantage program, which could increase costs for seniors and people with disabilities. (Source: Healthcare Finance News)
• The CMS has also proposed changes to the Medicaid program, which could lead to more states imposing work requirements and other restrictions on Medicaid recipients. (Source: The Hill)

5. Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance

• A survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that employer-sponsored health insurance premiums increased by 5% in 2019, with larger employers seeing smaller increases than smaller employers. (Source: Kaiser Family Foundation)
• Some employers are considering offering more flexible health insurance plans, such as telemedicine-only plans or plans with higher deductibles, to reduce costs and improve employee engagement. (Source: Employee Benefit News)

6. Health Insurance Exchanges

• The CMS has announced plans to reduce funding for health insurance navigators, who help people enroll in health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act's exchanges. (Source: The Hill)
• Some states are considering creating their own health insurance exchanges, which could provide more flexibility and customization for consumers. (Source: Healthcare Finance News)

7. Telemedicine and Virtual Care

• Telemedicine and virtual care services are becoming more popular, with many health insurance plans now covering virtual visits and online consultations. (Source: Healthcare Finance News)
• Some health insurance companies are offering virtual health insurance plans, which provide coverage for virtual care services only. (Source: Employee Benefit News)

These are just a few of the latest news updates on healthcare insurance. If you have any specific questions or concerns, feel free to ask!