While the actual number of people who have been able to enroll in programs through the exchanges thus far is unknown, several thousand have attempted to access the website. The Democrats and Republicans in Congress trade criticisms of the program, but it continues to push forward for now.
Here are three things for spine surgeons to know about health insurance exchanges today:
1. Not all patients will be able to keep their health plans. Originally, President Barack Obama maintained that Americans would be able to keep their current health plans under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. However, since enrollment various insurers have dropped plans that cover significant markets. According to a report from The Hill, the President now says a “vast majority” of people will be able to keep their plans, but not everybody.
Insurers are also sending out cancellation letters to people enrolled in health plans that don’t meet requirements for basic coverage under healthcare reform, such as covering “essential benefits” in prescription drugs, mental health and maternity care.
2. HealthCare.gov to be ready by the end of November. After glitches in the first few weeks, the HealthCare.gov website is expected to run again by the end of November, according to an NBC News report. Government contractor QSSI is assigned to oversee the fix.
While 90 percent of the people who go to the website now are able to create an account, only about 10 percent will be able to get all the way through the process, according to the report. People are still expected to apply by Dec. 15 for coverage to begin Jan. 1, 2014; however open enrollment will extend through March 31, 2014.
3. Premiums are lower than expected. A report from the U.S. Health and Human Services Department issued just before the insurance exchanges launched showed premiums are expected to be 16 percent lower than they were originally predicted. However, some fear people signing up for the exchanges will opt for high deductible plans that could mean elective surgery is pushed to the end of the year.
A recent CBS News article noted that the success of exchanges depends on young and healthy people enrolling. A system of subsidies along with other incentives are designed to keep consumers on the market and premiums under control.
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