A few weeks ago, the Washington HealthPlanFinder announced that 2024 ACA individual market rates for unsubsidized enrollees would be increasing by an average of roughly 8.9% overall (small group plan rate changes hadn't been finalized yet, though the requested increases averaged around 8.3%).
Note: The rule below actually doesn't apply to health insurance carriers, who I presume are bound by other federal and state transparency provisions in the ACA and other laws/regulations; it's primarily focused on auto and homeowner's insurance policies. I found it noteworthy enough to include here regardless, given my annual ACA rate filing project.
Rule adopted requiring insurers to tell you why your premium is going up
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has adopted a rule that requires insurance companies to explain premium increases to their policyholders in language they can understand.
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Fourteen health insurers filed an average requested rate increase of 9.11% for Washington's individual health insurance market. The proposed plans and their rates are currently under review and final decisions will be made this fall.
"Nearly 250,000 people in Washington state get their health coverage through our individual market,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “I'm pleased that so many insurers are filing plans again and to see such healthy competition. Now, we'll spend the next few months closely reviewing the companies' requests and the assumptions they’re making to be sure any rate change is justified.”
Apple Health (Medicaid) renewal letters have begun mailing
The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA), Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange), and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) have begun mailing letters to Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) clients reminding them to update their contact information and renew coverage to see if they still qualify.
For the first time in over three years, people on Apple Health could lose coverage if their family income has gone up. Federal requirements during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) led to income checks being suspended to keep clients enrolled in Apple Health during the pandemic. However, last December’s federal omnibus spending bill directed states to resume evaluating eligibility of Medicaid enrollees on April 1 to wind down COVID-19 pandemic emergency measures.
CMS Approves of State of Washington Medicaid Section 1115 Demonstration
April 14: CMS approved an amendment to the State of Washington's Medicaid section 1115(a) demonstration, titled “Medicaid Transformation Project." Approval of this demonstration amendment includes several improvements, like historic continuous eligibility for Medicaid children from the point they become eligible until they reach age six, regardless of income fluctuations or changes that would affect eligibility. The demonstration also expands the definition of transportation so eligible program participants can gain access to benefits, including community services and activities based on their service plan.
So far, so good; that's a pretty big deal, especially as we're in the middle of the Medicaid Unwinding process nationally.
However, there's a rather curious provision at the end of the announcement:
One of the most inane restrictions of the ACA in my view, as I noted in my "If I Ran the Zoo" wish list back in 2017, is that it doesn't allow undocumented immigrants to enroll in ACA marketplace health plans ("Qualified Health Plans" or QHPs).
I don't just mean that they aren't eligible for federal financial subsidies--that's a prohibition which I can at least understand, even if I don't agree with it. I mean that they aren't allowed to enroll in ACA exchange-based QHPs even at full price, as noted in Section 1312(f)(3):
Special enrollment remains open for those who qualify for, but are not enrolled in, Cascade Care Savings
More than 60% of Washington Healthplanfinder customers are in a Cascade Care plan
Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) released its 2023 Enrollment Preview Report today. Nearly 231,000 customers signed-up for a 2023 qualified health plan through Washington Healthplanfinder, including 37,000 new customers.
“We had our highest net enrollment gain and launched the new Cascade Care Savings during open-enrollment for 2023, resulting in our highest percentage of subsidized customers and highest percentage of plan switching,” Exchange interim CEO Jim Crawford said.
The exact QHP total, according to the preview report, was 230,800, down 3.7% from the 2022 Open Enrollment Period.
Washingtonians who qualify for Cascade Care Savings can still sign up and save
The wait is over — Cascade Care Savings is here! Open enrollment may have ended but that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck if you haven’t purchased a plan. A new special enrollment period is available to individuals and families who make up to 250% of the federal poverty level.
“Cascade Care Savings has opened the door for thousands of Washingtonians to secure high-quality health insurance at any time of the year,” Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) interim CEO Jim Crawford said. “This special enrollment period is available monthly to those who qualify for Cascade Care Savings who are not already in an eligible plan.”
Customers have until midnight on Jan. 15 to enroll through Washington Healthplanfinder
The time to enroll in your 2023 health plan is nearing its end; Washington Healthplanfinder’s 10th open enrollment period concludes on Jan. 15. Join the more than 224,000 Washingtonians who’ve secured their 2023 health plan; visit wahealthplanfinder.org by no later than Jan. 15 to double check that your plan is the right plan for you and your family in the upcoming year.
There is still time left to shop, switch and enroll in the best health plan for you in 2023 by Jan. 15
With just two weeks left in open enrollment, more than 222,000 Washingtonians have enrolled in their 2023 individual health plan through Washington Healthplanfinder. Driven by the availability of Cascade Care Savings, a new state premium subsidy, more than 60% of customers are enrolled in a Cascade Care plan for 2023 —double the number of enrollees in these plans in 2022.
