Category: Health Reform

What Are the Prescription Drug Provisions in the Senate Reconciliation Proposal?

This slideshow explains the prescription drug provisions proposed in the Senate Reconciliation Proposal.

Five Things to Know about the Possible Renewal of Extra Affordable Care Act Subsidies

Congress is considering an extension of extra help for people buying their own health coverage on the Affordable Care Act Marketplaces. This post highlights key things to know about the potential expiration or extension of the extra ACA subsidies.

ACA’s Maximum Out-of-Pocket Limit Is Growing Faster Than Wages

This analysis finds that the ACA’s maximum out-of-pocket limit is likely to grow faster than wages and salaries, and is also expected to grow faster than the maximum out-of-pocket limit for Health Savings Account (HSA)-qualified health plans.

An Early Look at What is Driving Health Costs in 2023 ACA Markets

This analysis of marketplace insurers’ early rate filings in 13 states and the District of Columbia finds that they are seeking higher premium increases than in recent years, largely due to rising prices paid to hospitals, doctors and drug companies an…

Marketplace Insurers Are Proposing 10% Premium Hikes for 2023 in 13 States and DC, Though Many Enrollees Could Face Much Higher Increases if Congress Doesn’t Extend Enhanced Tax Credits

A new analysis of marketplace insurers’ early rate filings in 13 states and the District of Columbia finds that they are seeking higher premium increases than in recent years, largely due to rising prices paid to hospitals, doctors and drug companies a…

Could Consumer Assistance be Helpful to People Facing Medical Debt?

Most (53%) adults with health care debt say they have received a medical or dental bill they thought contained an error at some point in the past 5 years, and most say a state consumer assistance program would be helpful to them.

Data Note: 2022 Medical Loss Ratio Rebates

We find that insurers estimate they will issue a total of about $1 billion in Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) rebates this year across all commercial markets under a provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that limits the share of premiums that insurers c…

Private Insurers Expect to Pay $1 Billion in Rebates to Consumers This Year for Setting Premiums Too High Relative to Medical Costs

Private insurance companies are expecting to pay out $1 billion in rebates to consumers this fall under an Affordable Care Act provision that requires insurers to spend the bulk of customers’ premium payments on care, a new KFF analysis finds. Rebates …

The Uncertain Future of Policies to Promote Access and Affordability Put in Place During the COVID-19 Pandemic

In this column for the JAMA Health Forum, Larry Levitt highlights four changes implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic that helped to make health care more accessible and affordable and the prospects for those changes to telehealth, COVID-19 coverage,…

For ACA Enrollees, How Much Premiums Rise Next Year is Mostly up to Congress

Most customers with coverage through Affordable Care Act’s marketplaces will face big premium increases next year if Congress doesn’t extend the temporary enhanced tax credits included in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. If the outcome isn’…