The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a data snapshot of how open enrollment is going so far, with over 5 million people signing up for coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA)’s Marketplace plans. This snapshot breaks down overall enrollment and on a statewide basis.
CMS also reported that over 988,000 new enrollees have chosen to sign up for Marketplace plans. For 2025, many people who were previously ineligible for financial assistance can sign up for plans with lower premiums after tax credits. 4 out of 5 HealthCare.gov consumers can find a plan for $10 or less per month through expanded financial assistance.
Remember that next week on December 15 is the last day to enroll or change plans for coverage that starts on January 1, 2025, so Visit HealthCare.Gov to sign up for coverage if you have not already and qualify!
The NDNRC wants to make sure that people with disabilities are aware of potential changes to their healthcare with the new administration taking office starting January 20, 2025. The disability community utilizes Medicaid, and the ACA Marketplace plans at a higher rate than those without disabilities due to their unique needs.
By updating this newsletter with resources and educational pieces on where disability health policies stand, we hope to ensure that the disability community continues to have access to accessible and affordable healthcare coverage no matter what changes occur in the next four years.
Coverage on a new report from the Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families (CCF) on maternal mental health at federal and state levels reviews this year’s state legislation, tracking of state legislative actions, and overall model legislation. A key takeaway finds that potential cuts to state Medicaid programs would fare poorly for this population.
The CHIRblog reported on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) offering states to update their essential health benefits to require coverage of routine adult dental benefits. Many health insurance plans lack dental or vision care, so this change marks a great feat for healthcare consumers.
It was also reported on the importance of making permanent enhancements to the premium tax credits in the Affordable Care Act Marketplace to avoid an increase in premiums. These changes would take effect in 2026.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) noted the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in ensuring low-income or nutritionally compromised populations have access to food assistance, with over 41 million people benefiting from SNAP. They also released a policy basics guide and coverage on extended protections for SNAP households who have unfortunately experienced benefit theft.
Use CMS’ partner tools and toolkits to conduct outreach for OE. This includes social media posts, images, scripts, themed weeks, webinars, and more! Outreach materials are available in multiple languages. Get covered or make changes to existing plans today. Here are some important dates to keep in mind:
- December 15, 2024: the last day to enroll or change plans for coverage that starts on January 1, 2025
- January 15, 2025: the official end of OE and last day to enroll in coverage that starts on February 1, 2024
The Young Invincibles have sample posts and graphics available in both English and Spanish for Open Enrollment. Find the resources below:
- Open Enrollment toolkit
- ACA4DACA Partner toolkit
- Week by week social media messaging calendar
- Graphics
As a part of our partnership with the CBPP, we have updated Factsheets 1 through 16, excluding Factsheet 6 in anticipation for Open Enrollment (OE). Read an overall summary of relevant factsheets on our blog here. People with disabilities can expect to find a plan for less than $10 per month – visit HealthCare.Gov for more information.
Keep up with vaccinations this flu season and be prepared with free at-home COVID-19 tests that are accessible for people who are blind or have low vision and those with low manual dexterity. Through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and the United States Postal Service (USPS), test will be able to detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through the end of 2024.
Archives of our weekly updates are available on the NDNRC website.