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)

Calif. seeks dual rate predictions

The California Department of Insurance has authorized health insurance carriers to file two sets of rates for 2018 -- one under Obamacare, the second under a GOP-produced plan. The administration's efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act "have created immense uncertainly and instability for 2018's health insurance market," the commissioner's office said. Dave Jones, left, said: "Given the actions by President Trump ... (More)

California enrollment slips 3%

With the future of Obamacare looking bleak, Covered California saw enrollment drop 3 percent compared with last year. The state Obamacare operation said 412,105 new consumers signed up for health coverage. About 425,000 signed up during open enrollment the previous year. Covered California chief Peter Lee, left, said the health-care signups "met our projections" and were "driven by the nearly 50,000 consumers who signed up for ... (More)

Tax-credit jeopardy for 24,000

An error by Covered California has left about 24,000 policy holders at risk of losing their federal tax credits in January if they don't give the state health insurance exchange permission to verify their income. Covered California is engaged in a last-minute scramble to reach those individuals and families before the end of the month, spokeswoman Lizelda Lopez said. For policy holders who don't give the agency their consent by ... (More)