The architects of the Affordable Care Act thought they had a blunt instrument to force people — even young and healthy ones — to buy insurance through the law’s online marketplaces: a tax penalty for those who remain uninsured.
With open enrollment set to begin today, some health insurance brokers are already fielding questions about coverage and whether existing plans will still be available next year. For an increasing number of brokers, there’s also another question: Will they get paid?
Employer groups are hopeful that Congress will use the lame-duck session to pass legislation to help prevent employees from incorrectly claiming health insurance subsidies in the Obamacare marketplaces.
About 240,000 Californians with job-based health coverage may have been surprised by a recent letter from Blue Shield of California saying the company owes them money, not the other way around.
New final federal regulations could make life more complicated for issuers and users of short-term health insurance by limiting the duration of short-term health insurance to periods of three months or less.
Paula Schwartz of West Los Angeles says Obamacare has helped her afford medical coverage while she cares for her aging mother. But next year, her payments will jump $92 a month, or 57%.