HHS TO MAKE MARKETPLACE COVERAGE MORE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that ACA Marketplace plans will implement policies to make enrollment easier for low-income individuals. Changes include routine adult dental services and network adequacy standards. This is great news for people with disabilities who are eligible for a special enrollment period due to the unwinding of Medicaid or other qualifying circumstances.
More can be read on these changes, such as increasing access to healthcare services, improving the plan selection process, and strengthening marketplace plans, in HHS’ Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2025 final rule here.
Speaking of special enrollment periods – the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is extending a temporary special enrollment period for those who are no longer eligible for Medicaid or CHIP transition into a Marketplace plan. The deadline has been extended from July 31 to November 30, 2024! Qualifying individuals should enroll in a more affordable plan with new, expanded health benefits!
Navigators who work with people with disabilities who have communication-related needs in the process of applying for health insurance coverage through the Marketplace can review the NDNRC’s latest factsheet on assisting consumers with communication needs, complete with an accessible PDF version.
As of April 4, states have reported renewal outcomes for more than half of those enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) with 32.1 million renewals still remaining. 21% of those who completed the renewal process were disenrolled and 42.3 million enrollees were able to qualify for renewed coverage. The large range of disenrollment rates in each state varies, with the highest of 57% being in Utah and the lowest of 12% in Maine. Out of all states with available data, 69% of all those disenrolled were due to procedural reasons.
Data from CMS enrollment in Marketplace plans for those who have lost coverage during the Medicaid unwinding have increased by almost one-third during December 2023. This gap in coverage helped the Marketplace reach a historic number of 21.45 million enrollments.
The Georgetown University Center for Children and Families covered a report issued by the HHS Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE). This report estimated that the average monthly eligibility for Medicaid/CHIP will go up by 3.5% in states that do not have 12 months of continuous enrollment coverage.
HHS has released final rules for short-term, limited-duration insurance (STLDI) plans and aim to improve access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare coverage. Interested enrollees in STLDI plans should be able to easily obtain information on these health coverage options.
The Office for Civil Rights and HHS released statutes in the form of a factsheet that are key in advancing health equity. This goal will ensure non-discrimination and increase access to services for people with disabilities, especially through non-discrimination in healthcare.
The HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) has also released a factsheet on addressing and promoting health equity for marginalized populations, like the LGBTQI+ community and those who face environmental injustices, and women’s health.
The Commonwealth Fund reported on the state of primary care in the nation. This report highlighted that less than 1 in 3 primary care providers make home visits and less than 4 in 10 physicians can coordinate with specialists and hospitals for a patient’s care.
KFF examined data from a survey conducted on LGBTQI+ adults’ experiences with discrimination and healthcare disparities. Key findings included that this population faces increased negative mental health outcomes, with a higher rate of disability among younger LGBTQI+ populations.
April is National Minority Health Month! The importance of one’s racial/ethnic identity and the intersection with disability can lead to an array of health disparities that these populations face. This month, HHS will call attention to NMHM’s theme of “Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections” and focus on the impacts of the social determinants of health via a toolkit.
Archives of our weekly updates are available on the NDNRC website.