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What We're Reading: ACA Premiums Rose 9%
What we're reading, January 22, 2016: the average premium under the Affordable Care Act rose to $408 before tax credits; seniors will face higher Medicare Advantage premiums with a merge between Aetna and Humana; and Hawaii could be the first state to offer long-term care benefits.
Before taking into account tax credits that lower premiums, the average premium under the Affordable Care Act is $408 per month for 2016, which is a 9% increase. However, after tax credits, the average premium enrollees pay is $118, according to The Hill. As the premium level rose, so did the financial assistance from the government, increasing from an average of $268 for 2015 plans to $294 for 2016 plans.
Meanwhile, seniors will face higher Medicare Advantage premiums if Aetna’s proposal to buy Humana is approved by regulators. Reuters reported that Aetna premiums were at least $155 less annually and up to $305 lower annually in counties where it competed with Humana. Aetna has said that beneficiaries who are facing a premium increase in Medicare Advantage could always switch to traditional Medicare.
In Hawaii, seniors could become the first in the country to have access to long-term care benefits. Lawmakers are introducing a bill that would provide seniors with a benefit of $70 per day for 1 year, which could be used to pay family caregivers, hire in-home aids, and help offset the cost of safety equipment, according to The Washington Post. Hawaii would cover the cost of the benefit through a 0.5% increase in the state’s general excise tax.
Trump Administration’s Message to Supreme Court Puts New Wrinkle in Braidwood Case
February 21st 2025The Trump administration argues that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr can overrule the US Preventive Services Task Force to determine the preventive services covered under the Affordable Care Act.
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Varied Access: The Pharmacogenetic Testing Coverage Divide
February 18th 2025On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with the author of a study published in the February 2025 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® to uncover significant differences in coverage decisions for pharmacogenetic tests across major US health insurers.
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5 Key Health Care Moments During President Trump's First Month Back in Office
February 21st 2025President Donald J. Trump pushed for significant health care changes during his first month back in office, through executive orders affecting managed care, drug pricing, and clinical trial diversity guidance.
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NSCLC Advancements Offer Hope, but Disparities Persist
February 20th 2025Ioana Bonta, MD, Georgia Cancer Specialists, discusses the evolving state of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatments, their impact on patient outcomes, and the need to address ongoing disparities in these populations.
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