Politics and Policy

As many as 7 million new enrollees could sign up for health insurance during the Affordable Care Act’s second open enrollment cycle which begins November 15, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

Employer-sponsored healthcare benefits are not insulated from the changes taking place in the broader healthcare marketplace. However employers, particularly large employers, are attempting to drive the conversation and actions toward issues that are important to them. One of the best ways to do that is to pressure health plans to help them achieve their healthcare goals

The U.S. Supreme Court, in a decision expected by July of 2015, will hear arguments on the legality of the federal tax subsidies available to low and moderate income consumers that are a key component of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Certain group health plans that don’t provide minimally-defined coverage for in-patient hospitalization services will be disallowed if they were purchased after Nov. 4, 2014, the U.S. Department of Treasury has announced.

Audits of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and healthcare plans offering financial assistance as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will be conducted by the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG), according to the Center for Public Integrity.

After beating third quarter Wall Street estimates and with their stock prices at all time highs, the nation’s leading insurers are expanding their presence on state exchanges (also known as marketplaces) in response to a contracting employer-driven market.

A new Kaiser health tracking poll shows 90% of uninsured Americans are not aware of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) next open enrollment period.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Karen DeSalvo, MD, MPH, MSc, the national for Health Information Technology (HIT), explains that healthcare is a decade away from a national, interoperable health information technology platform.

More states, including some initial hold-out Republican states, are joining the ranks of those that have already expanded Medicaid under the ACA.

As of January 1, 2015, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid will only be awarding payments to MA plans that receive 4 stars or higher.

Employers are attempting to mitigate rising costs resulting from the ACA by shifting them to employees, according to a new survey from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina.

Looming rate cuts and policy changes fuel grassroots effort

Adaptability and flexibility is and will continue to be the key to both survival and success

Insurers weigh risks, demographics in setting premiums for 2015

Many children are without dental benefits

Plans seek new strategies to assess drug value, ensure appropriate prescribing

The justices' 5-4 decision is the first time the high court has ruled in favor of for-profit businesses holding religious views under federal law

Expectations surpassed, but back-end fixes need to ensure data, payments

Ten recent policy reports show a consensus on reducing the role of fee-for-service pay structures, says Paul Ginsburg

Win for silver plans signals need for education

Officials believe the risk pools are solid

Plans testified to the House Energy and Commerce Committee that more than 80% of new customers had paid the monthly premiums.

Policy changes aim to avoid lost coverage, rate hikes through November.

Enrollments rolling in despite consumers' lack of knowledge, technical glitches and high-traffic volumes.

The case will be decided on the burden the ACA contraceptive mandate has on private employer Hobby Lobby

Seattle Children’s Hospital has been publicly at odds with insurers over the trend toward narrow networks.

Insurers fight back as three Rs become the pawns of health reform politics

Employers with 50 to 99 workers will have until 2016 before they must offer coverage.

Industry sounds off on healthcare using hashtag on Valentine's day; goes viral.

Critics caution that the employer mandate will drive firms to cut hours and cut positions to avoid the responsibility.