A recent Wall street Journal article http://online.wsj.com * noted “The Obama administration plans to automatically renew for next year the health plans and premium subsidies that consumers obtained through the Affordable Care Act’s federal insurance exchange.”
“The move, which will apply to most of the five million people who selected insurance through HealthCare.gov for 2014, will make it easier for consumers to stay in their plans and retain tax credits lowering the cost of coverage. It also will relieve pressure on the federal exchange, which was crippled during parts of its first enrollment period.”
“The Department of Health and Human Services said… it would allow about 95% of people who signed up for coverage to be automatically re-enrolled in their current plan if they didn’t return to the site to switch plans. People who don’t come back to the site and report changes in income also would have their tax credits renewed based on information the federal government has on file about them.”
“Federal officials said they were trying to mirror the process that the majority of Americans who get coverage through their employer see each year.”
* to read the full WSJ article “Federal Health-Exchange Plans to Automatically Renew” by Louise Radnosky highlight and click on open hyperlink http://online.wsj.com/articles/obama-administration-to-allow-automatic-health-insurance-renewals-1403809048
Doctor, Did You Wash Your Hands? ™ provides information to consumers on understanding, managing and navigating health care options.
Jonathan M. Metsch, Dr.P.H., is Clinical Professor, Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; and Adjunct Professor, Baruch College ( C.U.N.Y.), Rutgers School of Public Health, and Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration.
This blog shares general information about understanding and navigating the health care system. For specific medical advice about your own problems, issues and options talk to your personal physician.