Executive Order Ends the “Out-of-Pocket” Subsidy Only; the “Premium” Subsidy Remains in Place

Some folks may think that Friday’s Executive Order did away with Obamacare subsidies altogether.  It didn’t. There are two subsidies. One was cut.  One wasn’t. In a nutshell, one subsidy lowers the cost of premium (aka premium tax credits) for those qualified...

Wonder Why Our Healthcare Costs Are So High?

Bob Laszewski is an insurance health industry expert we regularly track to stay up to speed on the national healthcare picture. His typically even-handed analysis has been consistently the most accurate of any of the opinion leaders we follow.  Here’s how Laszewski...

Now That ACA Remains in Place Maybe We Should Keep An Eye On This Recent HHS Letter to Governors.

“……We are seeking to empower states with new opportunities that will strengthen their health insurance markets.” Thomas E. Price, M.D., The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), A Letter To Governors, dated March 13, 2017   On March 13, 2017, the...

It’s Official — Transitional Relief or “Keep Your Plan” for Small Groups Extended Through 2018

The Transitional Relief Provision has been extended as expected at least through December 31, 2018. We reported on it last week here. Small employers with non-ACA compliant or “grandmothered” plans will once again have the option to keep those plans in...

UnitedHealthcare News Release Indicates Small Group Transitional Relief Plans (pre-ACA) Are Likely To Be Extended Beyond 2017

While we wait to see what happens with the New Trump Administration’s plans to repeal and replace…………. In a recent field communication pertaining to Small Group renewals, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) announced that they were making provisions for small employers with...