Summary of Coverage Provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act July 17, 2012 Issue Brief This short summary describes the health coverage provisions contained in the final version of the Affordable Care Act signed into law in March 2010, including the individual mandate requirements, expansion of public programs, health insurance exchanges, changes to private insurance and employer requirements.
Visualizing Health Policy: Health Coverage Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) December 20, 2012 Report Related ResourcesStudy Highlights Role of Geography and Plan Shopping Under Medicare Premium Support SystemMedicare Part D: A First Look at Part D Plan Offerings in 2013The Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit – An Updated Fact SheetOnline Consumer Guide to Medicare The latest Visualizing Health Policy infographic is a flowchart illustrating the mechanisms…
Kaiser Survey Probes Health Insurance Brokers’ Views on Insurance Trends, ACA June 15, 2012 Perspective A new nationally representative survey of 500 health insurance agents and brokers working in the individual and small group markets by the Kaiser Family Foundation explores their outlook on market trends and views on the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The survey finds that many agents are seeing steep increases in premiums…
Explaining Health Care Reform: Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) February 29, 2012 Fact Sheet This fact sheet explains the Medical Loss Ratio requirement under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The MLR provision limits the portion of premium dollars health insurers may spend on administration, marketing, and profits. Under health care reform, health insurers must publicly report the portion of premium dollars spent on health care and quality improvement and other activities in each state they operate. Insurers failing to meet the applicable standard must pay rebates to consumers and businesses.
Beyond Rebates: How Much Are Consumers Saving from the ACA’s Medical Loss Ratio Provision? June 6, 2013 Perspective The Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) saved consumers an estimated $2.1 billion last year, in the form of lower premiums and rebates, according to a new analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Under health reform, insurers must issue consumer rebates if they fail to spend a certain portion of premium income on health care claims and quality improvement expenses, thereby limiting what they may spend on administrative expenses or keep as profits.
Quantifying Tax Credits for People Now Buying Insurance on Their Own August 14, 2013 Issue Brief This analysis estimates that Americans currently buying insurance on the individual market would receive $2700 in subsidies (as tax credits) in 2014 under Obamacare. Tax credits are available for qualifying people buying insurance through the new health care marketplaces, or exchanges.
How Buying Insurance Will Change Under Obamacare September 24, 2013 Perspective When the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) health insurance marketplaces (also known as “exchanges”) go online this October, millions of people are expected to apply for private insurance coverage. Nobody expects the launch will be perfect, with no hitches and problems. The law not only replaces a fragmented and confusing assortment…
ACA Open Enrollment: If You Are Low-Income October 25, 2019 Fact Sheet This fact sheet explains 2020 health coverage options that may be available to people who have low incomes, including Medicaid coverage or individual insurance plans through Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces.
Obamacare and You: If You Have a Pre-Existing Condition October 1, 2013 Fact Sheet This short explainer highlights the changes for people with pre-existing health conditions coming under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
ACA Open Enrollment: If You Buy Health Coverage in the Individual Market October 17, 2019 Fact Sheet This short explainer provides an overview of open enrollment and the 2020 individual insurance market, including Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces, for consumers who buy their own plans rather than getting insurance through an employer.