Tag: affordable care act

By the Numbers: Tennessee approves insurers’ 2019 ACA requests

~ Holly Fletcher

The requests garnered approval on Aug. 22 from the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance and now head to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for final approval. Two insurers revised original requests for deeper decreases after a commitment from the federal government on risk adjustment payments.

Read more:
»Competition shakes up Tennessee ACA exchange: Highlights urban-rural divide, ups interest in cost impact 
»At a glance: Tennessee’s 2019 ACA premiums, risk adjustment impact

Get Covered Tennessee braces for ‘huge impact,’ possible layoffs as HHS cuts navigator funds

~ Holly Fletcher

Family and Children’s Service is expecting an estimated $1.1 million cut in federal funding to operate its statewide health insurance enrollment network, according to a program director.

Continue reading “Get Covered Tennessee braces for ‘huge impact,’ possible layoffs as HHS cuts navigator funds” →

Competition shakes up Tennessee ACA exchange: Highlights urban-rural divide, ups interest in cost impact

~ Holly Fletcher ~ 1 Comment
The distinguishing characteristic of Tennessee’s 2019 individual health insurance market may be competition—and geography will matter.

Continue reading “Competition shakes up Tennessee ACA exchange: Highlights urban-rural divide, ups interest in cost impact” →

Tennessee poised to get new ACA health insurers for 2019

~ Holly Fletcher

Tennessee’s individual health insurance market is poised for new entrants and territory expansions from existing insurers in 2019 — a sharp reversal of the diminishing options that many shoppers faced in recent years. 

Bright Health and Celtic/Ambetter plan to offer insurance that complies with the Affordable Care Act, per filings with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. 

>Read more: Competition shakes up Tennessee ACA exchange: Highlights urban-rural divide, ups interest in cost impact

Meanwhile, Cigna and Oscar plan to expand their footprint, according to the TDCI. 

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee will continue to offer individual insurance around the state with the exception of the greater Memphis and Nashville areas. 

The Tennessee insurance market has been beset by defections as insurers grappled with high claims cost and losses in the early years of the federal marketplace.

However, filings from BCBST and Cigna this time last year indicated a better understanding of how people used the plans. But the premiums for 2018 were higher due to volatility from federal policy uncertainty.

Insurers had to file their intentions by June 20. Rate filings, or the request for premiums, will be due on July 11. 

Where insurers intend to sell:

  • BCBST: Everywhere but greater Memphis and Nashville
  • Bright Health: New entrant. Greater Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville
  • Ambetter by Celtic: New Entrant. Greater Chattanooga and Memphis
  • Cigna: Expanding into Knoxville while keeping its Nashville, Memphis and Tri-Cities presence
  • Oscar: Expanding into Memphis while maintaining its Nashville presence

Note: This article will be updated.

Tennessee’s gubernatorial hopefuls received 7 health care questions. Some answered.

~ Holly Fletcher ~ 1 Comment
What you’ll read about: BirdDog sent seven questions to the Tennessee governor hopefuls to illuminate policy stances on a range of health care topics, including outpatient treatment for substance abuse, balance billing, whether Medicaid expansion would be a priority, and whether the state and/or employers have an obligation to help with access to coverage.
Updated at 6 p.m. on 4.19.2018 to reflect additional responses.

Continue reading “Tennessee’s gubernatorial hopefuls received 7 health care questions. Some answered.” →