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Opponents of the federal health law, especially business groups and conservatives, were quick to praise the decision by the Obama administration to delay enforcing the employer mandate provision by one year. Some supporters said the decision would not create major problems.
In announcing the delay, the administration says it will give businesses time to comply and allow the government to consider simpler solutions.
KHN’s insurance columnist answers readers’ questions about qualifying for help paying premiums under the health law and how student health plans will be treated.
Online fundraising sites are growing in popularity, even among patients who have insurance.
The pools are intended to help people until Jan. 1, 2014, when the federal health law’s provision banning insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions or charging them more takes effect.
No insurer is offering to sell plans in dozens of mostly rural counties, which would prevent residents from obtaining subsidies through a federal online marketplace.
Thirty-six of Mississippi’s 82 counties may lack a subsidized health insurance option when a new marketplace opens this fall. Humana and Centene’s Magnolia Health Plan are expected to be available the remaining counties, noted by the dots on the map.
The commission, set up by Congress to offer recommendations on paying for services to help seniors and disabled people, has only a few months left to do its work.
Premiums may increase for young people, but the flip side is insurers must take all comers, broaden benefits and cap out-of-pocket costs.
Consumers can call on “navigators,” trained people who will provide face-to-face assistance. Or, it is hoped, the navigators will call on them.
