12.4% surcharge on silver plans

Covered California's popular silver-tier products will see a 12.4 percent surcharge in 2018, the state health insurance exchange said. California's insurance commissioner pointed the finger at the Trump administration. "Thanks to President Trump's and congressional Republicans' inaction, the 2018 health insurance rates are higher than they would otherwise be," said California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. The total ... (More)

7.5 million could lose insurance

Republicans' latest effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act could lead to 7.5 million Californians losing their health insurance over the next decade, a study shows. "The effect on California would be devastating," Covered California chief Peter Lee said in sharing the report by the organization's chief actuary. The GOP-backed plan, which has been losing key support in the past week, is sponsored by Sens. Lindsey ... (More)

Uninsured rate at record low

About 8.8 percent of U.S. citizens went without health insurance last year, another record low. The U.S. Census Bureau said 28.1 million were uninsured in 2016, compared with 29 million (9.1 percent) in 2015. About 42 million were uninsured before the major provisions of the Affordable Care Act kicked in in 2014. Employer-based insurance covered 55.7 percent of the population for some or all of 2016, the Census Bureau ... (More)

Surcharge decision set for Sept. 30

Stymied by federal uncertainties, Covered California has delayed its decision on whether to issue a surcharge for 2018 on "silver" health-care plans. The delay results from a lack of direction from the Trump administration on the future of federal subsidy payments. "The lack of clarity and direction at the federal level continues to be a challenge, and Covered California is doing everything it can to stabilize the market and ... (More)

State plans for loss of subsidies

Covered California's board fears health-care subsidies are headed for the federal government's chopping block -- and is taking action. The board confirmed June 15 that insurers must submit a pair of rate proposals for 2018 -- one with continued cost-sharing reductions and one without. Covered California will require participating plans to offer a "separately rated, non-mirrored" silver plan off exchange that is nearly identical to ... (More)