On December 19, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) rescinded a Trump era rule that granted flexibilities to small businesses in establishing large group association health plans (AHPs).
The rescinded rule provided the flexibility by modifying the definition of "employer" under federal law such that individuals like sole proprietors...Arizona News
This week the Urban Institute published a report that captures how Americans stayed insured during the COVID-19 Pandemic, while other outlets shared news on the pros and cons of Association Health Plans for small employers and how ACA consumers who don't qualify for subsidies are still paying record high premiums.
The study concluded...Arizona News
The Trump administration finalized a new rule last week, further chipping away at the Obama administration’s healthcare legacy by allowing employers to set aside tax-preferred funds and pay money into employee health reimbursement accounts (HRAs).
Employees can later retrieve that money to purchase healthcare coverage on the...
Our May 2019 newsletter features future changes for Medicare Advantage plans, Arizona healthcare wins within the state’s approved 2020 budget and a comprehensive look at Association Health Plans from Publisher Jim Hammond. The May issue also includes Leapfrog Hospital top safety grades for Arizona hospitals, updates on ACA navigator...
Arizona passes a law that mirrors the rule published by the Department of Labor in June of 2018.
With the individual mandate being ineffective due to a zero-dollar penalty, Americans can choose not to buy an ACA compliant plan.
Association health plans (AHP) are an example of options available to consumers that are contrary to ACA...Arizona News
A federal judge's March 28 ruling struck down a Department of Labor (DOL) rule that expanded the reach of Association Health Plans as Arizona legislators now consider a Senate bill (SB1085) that mirrors the federal agency's approach.
The DOL has a few options in response to the ruling, it can seek a stay and appeal the decision or...Arizona News
Analysts are forecasting a stabilization in premium prices for consumers shopping through Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges come fall open enrollment.
Based on preliminary state filings for ACA-compliant health plans, ACASignups.net released a table of projected increases for 2019 premiums. Run by analyst Charles Gabe, the site...Arizona News
Attorney General Xavier Becerra of California joined the District of Columbia and 11 other states in a lawsuit to prevent the removal and diminishing of consumer protections under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for the sale of Association Health Plans (AHPs).
President Trump announced the policy June 19, claiming it would lower...Arizona News
In the midst of a suit brought on by 12 Democratic attorney generals against the Trump administration, the President last week bragged about his new health plans and said they are already generating "record business."
Available to the public Sept. 1, the association health plans take a jab at the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which...Arizona News
Last week, members of the Arizona House and Senate voted on some major issues.
The following round-up of healthcare legislation recently proposed includes votes by Arizona's delegation to the House of Representatives:
Ban on “Junk Insurance” Health Plans or Short-Term Insurance
The House blocked a Democratic bid to...National News
A reminder that businesses with less than 50 or more full-time employees and self-employed workers are the target audience for Association Health Plans (AHPs).
Final rules released in June by the U.S. Department of Labor will expand the availability of AHPs and help to fulfill an executive order signed by Trump last year. Available...National News
On Tuesday, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released a new rule focused on making healthcare more attainable for small businesses. The rule allows small businesses and those self-employed to shop for joint health insurance depending on location or industry.
This final rule regulating association health plans is supported by Trump...
HR 2 is "To provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2023, and for other purposes."
It is common for Congress to bury many topics in a "Must Pass" bill. In the 644 page Farm Bill there are items to change the elements of the Affordable Care...
A comprehensive look at non-ACA compliant products building on the article in The Hertel Report of March 13, 2018.
Crafted by a former attorney with the Montana Insurance Department, the analysis looks at background research and information on risks posed by alternative coverage options that do not comply with the Affordable Care...
Insurance industry and regulators respond to Trump Administration proposal.
The Department of Labor has proposed rules that allow the formation of "association health plans". Another term to describe the plan is "multiple employer welfare arrangement" (MEWA).
The promise of MEWAs has been to give small employers access to low...
The new rules could make it easier for small businesses to band together and create health insurance plans that would be exempt from many of the consumer protections mandated by the Affordable Care Act.
The move permits "association health plans". The Labor Department said:
By joining together employers may reduce administrative...National News
An executive order is being finalized that would permit health plans offered by associations to allow individuals to pool together and buy insurance outside their states, a unilateral move that follows failed efforts by Congress to overhaul the health care system.
Soon after the latest Senate Repeal and Replace bill failed, Sen. Rand...
