Trump administration issues final rule on stricter Obamacare enrollment [View all]

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Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration on Thursday issued a final rule that will shorten the Obamacare enrollment period and give insurers more of what they say they need in the individual insurance market, likely making it harder for some consumers to purchase insurance, healthcare experts said.

It could also raise out-of-pocket medical expenses, the experts said, because it gives insurers more flexibility in determining the value of their coverage.

... The changes under Thursday's final rule include a shortened open enrollment period for Obamacare plans. They also make it harder for people to enroll outside that period, which is allowed under certain circumstances such as a pregnancy or a move.

The rule could also allow insurers to collect unpaid premium payments and make it tougher for people to move in and out of insurance plans, according to healthcare industry experts. The rule also gives states broader authority by removing the federal government's role in overseeing doctor and hospital networks included in insurance plans. Republicans have said any healthcare reform or overhaul must give states more flexibility.


Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-administration-issues-final-rule-stricter-obamacare-enrollment-222842411--business.html

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Death by a thousand cuts.

"It could also raise out-of-pocket medical expenses, the experts said, because it gives insurers more flexibility in determining the value of their coverage."

Whatever that means

"The rule could also allow insurers to collect unpaid premium payments"

They couldn't before?

"The rule also gives states broader authority by removing the federal government's role in overseeing doctor and hospital networks included in insurance plans"

This doesn't sound good, at least in some states.

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Unfortunately the article doesn't have any more detail on the changes than what is above. So I don't know what the new open enrollment period will be, etc. The article does provide some general context that I didn't include in the above. The insurers are very unhappy with all the uncertainty around the ACA, such as the threat to withhold cost-sharing subsidies.