/ en Mon, 28 Apr 2025 07:13:48 -0500 Wed, 08 Jan 25 14:23:51 -0600 /news/headline/2025-01-08-cms-nearly-24-million-have-signed-2025-marketplace-coverage <p>The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Jan. 8 <a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nearly-24-million-consumers-have-selected-affordable-health-coverage-aca-marketplace-time-left">announced</a> 23.6 million consumers have signed up for a 2025 Health Insurance Marketplace plan. Of that total, approximately 3.2 million are new consumers. Open enrollment continues until Jan. 15 for the 31 states that use HealthCare.gov and most state-based marketplaces for coverage beginning Feb. 1. </p> Wed, 08 Jan 2025 14:23:51 -0600 Enroll in Health Insurance /news/headline/2024-12-05-cms-says-nearly-988000-have-enrolled-new-marketplace-coverage <p>Approximately 988,000 consumers who currently do not have health insurance coverage through the individual marketplace have signed up for a 2025 health plan through the federally facilitated Health Insurance Marketplace, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services <a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nearly-988000-new-consumers-selected-affordable-health-coverage-aca-marketplace-so-far" title="CMS new consumers">announced</a> yesterday. Nearly 4.4 million returning consumers have selected 2025 plans. The open enrollment period began Nov. 1 and continues through Jan. 15. </p> Thu, 05 Dec 2024 13:20:15 -0600 Enroll in Health Insurance /news/headline/2024-12-04-cms-issues-faq-special-enrollment-periods-and-plan-requirements <p>The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Nov. 22 released an <a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/naic-faq-11-22-2024.pdf">FAQ</a> on special enrollment periods resulting from significant provider network changes. The document, produced in response to questions from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, makes clarifications about enrollee rights for guaranteed issues triggered by a special enrollment period. </p> Wed, 04 Dec 2024 16:02:02 -0600 Enroll in Health Insurance /news/headline/2024-11-25-cms-over-496000-have-signed-new-marketplace-coverage <p>More than 496,900 consumers who currently do not have health insurance coverage have signed up for a 2025 health plan through the federally facilitated Health Insurance Marketplace, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services <a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/over-496000-new-consumers-selected-affordable-health-coverage-aca-marketplace" title="ACA enrollment 2025">reported</a>  last week. They join over 2.5 million returning consumers who selected plans for 2025 during the open enrollment period. Open enrollment began Nov. 1 and continues through Jan. 15. Last year, 21.4 million people signed up for coverage. </p> Mon, 25 Nov 2024 13:38:28 -0600 Enroll in Health Insurance /news/headline/2024-11-01-open-enrollment-begins-2025-marketplace-plans <p>Beginning Nov. 1 through Jan. 15, individuals and families can enroll in or change their health coverage options through the <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/">Health Insurance Marketplace</a>. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services expects that 97% of the website’s customers will have access to three or more <a href="https://www.cms.gov/cciio/programs-and-initiatives/health-insurance-marketplaces/downloads/cms-cciio-draft-py-25-issuer-landscape-map_10.25.24.pdf">insurance issuers</a> and four in five can find coverage for $10 or less per month after subsidies. AHA’s <a href="/ahia/promoting-healthy-communities/enroll-health-insurance">#GetCovered page</a> offers resources to help people choose the best coverage for themselves and their families.  <br> <br>AHA participates in <a href="https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/in-person-assisters/outreach-education/partner-tools-toolkits">CMS’ Champions for Coverage</a> program, which offers outreach and educational resources for hospitals and other enrollment partners. <br> <br>For more on 2025 open enrollment, see the CMS fact sheets for the <a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/marketplace-2025-open-enrollment-fact-sheet">federally facilitated</a> and <a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/state-exchange-oe-chart-py-2025.pdf">state-based</a> marketplaces.</p> Fri, 01 Nov 2024 15:53:45 -0500 Enroll in Health Insurance /news/blog/2022-11-01-open-enrollment-chance-choose-affordable-comprehensive-coverage <p>Starting today and going through Jan. 15, 2025, individuals and families may buy or change their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces.</p><p>For Americans who do not yet have comprehensive insurance through their employer, Medicare, Medicaid, or another existing program, now is the time to enroll in a plan that offers strong patient protections. The plans sold through the marketplaces must cover medically necessary care, without regard for pre-existing conditions and without arbitrary limits on that coverage. Eligible individuals and families also may be able to enroll for free or at very low cost as a result of subsidies that can reduce premiums and cost-sharing.</p><p>Enrolling in coverage is critical because we don’t know where our lives or health will take us, and choosing the right coverage matters too. It’s important that those shopping for coverage during this open enrollment period look beyond the cost of the premium to ensure that their doctors and medications are covered and that their deductible and cost-sharing amounts won’t stand in the way of being able to access care.</p><p>Thankfully, the ACA put in place important consumer protections, including out-of-pocket limits that ensure coverage kicks in for costly and unanticipated treatments and essential health benefit requirements that ban insurers from refusing to cover things like behavioral health or maternal care. Comprehensive, affordable health insurance helps people receive care for chronic illness, treat life-threatening diseases and receive preventive care like vaccines. It also helps to lower financial stress and keep people in the workforce and able to provide for themselves and their families.</p><p>Unfortunately, some gaps remain even under the ACA. This is especially true when it comes to high deductible amounts, which enrollees must pay before coverage kicks in for many services. This is why the AHA urges enrollees to research all aspects of their coverage options before making a final selection.</p><p>It also is important to be aware of other health insurance plans offered outside of the marketplaces that are not subject to any consumer protections and are very likely to have significant gaps in coverage. These plans can be appealing because of their lower upfront premiums. What these plans often fail to clearly explain to those shopping for coverage is just how costly they can be when something goes wrong. Indeed, the only reason these plans can have such low premiums is because they do not cover very much. Some do not cover emergency care or hospitalizations. They often exclude the prescription drugs that are needed to help manage a chronic condition. The rules about what is covered can change, and these plans can decline coverage for anything deemed a “pre-existing” condition. They also can impose limits on coverage.</p><p>The risks to patients of these inadequate health plans are exactly why hospitals and health systems have long been strong advocates for ensuring everyone is enrolled in comprehensive, affordable health coverage. This includes working with the Administration and Congress to enact and later strengthen the ACA coverage provisions, including instituting important patient protections, establishing the health insurance marketplaces and reducing the cost of coverage through federal subsidies. The hospital field also continues to advocate for the government to prohibit the sale of products that provide substandard coverage except in very limited circumstances, such as when the plan is a temporary bridge between enrollment in comprehensive plans.</p><p>Open enrollment makes it easy to pick the health plan that best fits an individual or household’s needs. Enrollees also can count on the help of local hospitals to help review coverage options and find a plan that is the best fit for them.</p><p>For more information, visit <a href="http://aha.org/getcovered" target="_blank">aha.org/getcovered</a> or <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/" target="_blank">healthcare.gov</a>.</p><p><em>Ariel Levin is the AHA’s director of coverage policy.</em></p> Fri, 01 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500 Enroll in Health Insurance /news/headline/2024-10-25-administration-releases-updates-aca-marketplace-enrollment-ahead-nov-1-launch <p>The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Oct. 25 launched a preview of health coverage <a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/marketplace-2025-open-enrollment-fact-sheet">options</a> available through the Open Enrollment Period for the HealthCare.gov marketplaces, set to open on Nov. 1. The Administration also announced Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients will be eligible to enroll in a marketplace plan and may be eligible for other benefits to lower health insurance out of pocket costs. As part of this year’s open enrollment, CMS updated the <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov">HealthCare.gov</a> webpage and made it mobile-friendly to ease the enrollment process. The ACA marketplace open enrollment runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15. AHA offers additional resources and more information on open enrollment at <a href="/ahia/promoting-healthy-communities/enroll-health-insurance">aha.org/getcovered</a>.</p> Fri, 25 Oct 2024 15:12:23 -0500 Enroll in Health Insurance /news/perspective/2024-10-25-protect-yourself-your-family-and-your-future-during-open-enrollment <p>Health insurance is the gateway to access health services that can ensure healthier individuals, healthier families and healthier communities.</p><p>No one plans to get sick or hurt, but most people need medical care at some point. Comprehensive health insurance protects individuals and families from health and financial risks in a number of important ways. It provides a shield against unexpected medical bills by covering costs related to hospitalization, treating illness and accidents. It also covers preventive services, like vaccines, screenings and primary care visits, typically with little or no cost-sharing.</p><p><strong>Open enrollment for many types of health insurance coverage will take place during the next few months.  </strong><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/" target="_blank" title="Open Enrollment for 2025"><strong>Medicare open enrollment for 2025</strong></a><strong> began Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. Open enrollment for 2025 health insurance Marketplace plans begins on Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 15, 2025, in most states. If you need to make a change to your current health coverage or enroll for the first time, this is your opportunity.</strong></p><p>For Americans who do not have comprehensive insurance through their employer, Medicare, Medicaid, or another existing program, or have lost their Medicaid coverage during the redetermination process, open enrollment is the time to research and enroll in a plan that offers strong consumer protections. The plans sold through the Marketplaces must cover medically necessary care, without regard for pre-existing conditions and without arbitrary limits on that coverage.</p><p>Eligible individuals and families also may be able to enroll for free or at very low cost as a result of subsidies that can reduce premiums and cost-sharing. Last month, the government released new data showing that nearly 50 million Americans, or 1 in 7 U.S. residents, have chosen coverage through the Affordable Care Act Marketplaces since January 2014.</p><p>As is the case every year, there will be some changes for 2025 in terms of which insurers offer Marketplace coverage. In most states, the list of participating Marketplace insurers is the same for 2025 as it was for 2024. But in some states, new insurers are joining the Marketplace, while other states will see insurers exiting the Marketplace or leaving the individual market altogether.</p><p>While premiums are certainly a factor while shopping for coverage, it’s important to look beyond the premium and make sure your doctors and medications are covered and that the plan’s deductible and cost-sharing amounts won’t stand in the way of being able to access care. The good news is the ACA is fortified with important consumer protections, including out-of-pocket limits that ensure coverage kicks in for costly and unanticipated treatments and essential health benefit requirements that ban insurers from refusing to cover things like behavioral health or maternal care.</p><p>Consumers also should be aware there are health insurance plans offered <em>outside</em> of the Marketplaces that are not subject to the same consumer protections and are likely to have significant <a href="/news/blog/2023-03-20-high-deductible-and-skinny-health-insurance-plans-drive-medical-debt" target="_blank">gaps in coverage</a>. They may cost less upfront, but it comes at the expense of much lower coverage. For example, these types of plans have been known to deny coverage for emergency care or hospitalizations. On top of that, such plans often exclude the prescription drugs that are needed to help manage a chronic condition.</p><p>The risks to patients of these inadequate health plans are exactly why hospitals and health systems have long been strong advocates for ensuring everyone is enrolled in comprehensive, affordable health coverage.</p><p>The AHA urges enrollees to research all aspects of their coverage options and carefully <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/getting-marketplace-health-insurance/" target="_blank">review the steps</a> involved before making a final selection. For more information, visit <a href="/ahia/promoting-healthy-communities/enroll-health-insurance" target="_blank" title="AHA Get Covered Website">aha.org/getcovered</a>.</p><p>We can never know where life or health may take us. But the peace of mind that comes with knowing you and those you care about are covered can reduce stress and help you focus on your health and well-being.</p><p>Open enrollment allows consumers to pick the health plan that best fits an individual’s or household’s needs. It has been a lifeline — or a health line — for millions of people. </p> Fri, 25 Oct 2024 08:29:18 -0500 Enroll in Health Insurance /news/headline/2024-10-21-medicare-kicks-2025-open-enrollment <p>Medicare open enrollment for <a href="https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/?year=2025&lang=en">2025</a> began Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. During the annual enrollment period, Medicare-eligible individuals can check their status, choose plans, or change plans during the open enrollment period, including switching from Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans to Original Medicare. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services <a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicare-advantage-and-medicare-prescription-drug-programs-remain-stable-cms-implements-improvements">projects</a> the average monthly premium for MA plans will fall by $1.23 in 2025 to $17.00, while the average stand-alone monthly total premium for a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan will fall by $1.63 cents to $46.50. Among other changes this year, out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs will be capped at $2,000.</p> Mon, 21 Oct 2024 14:24:28 -0500 Enroll in Health Insurance /news/headline/2024-01-11-hhs-launches-medicaid-and-chip-renewal-resource-providers <p>The Department of Health and Human Service today launched a new <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/programs/health-insurance/medicaid-chip-renewal-transition-resources-partners/index.html">online hub</a> for federal resources to help people renew Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage, or transition to other coverage if they no longer qualify. Resources include communications toolkits in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog and Vietnamese. States began reviewing Medicaid and CHIP enrollee eligibility in April due to the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, which required them to maintain continuous coverage. <br><br>“We encourage our partners to utilize this new resource hub to help ensure children and families have the coverage that’s right for them,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “We also urge states to join us in partnering with local governments and community organizations to reach people eligible for Medicaid and CHIP where they are.” </p> Thu, 11 Jan 2024 15:13:59 -0600 Enroll in Health Insurance