Roughly 10 percent of Tennesseans remain without health insurance as numbers look to go above average nationwide with individuals going through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
According to information provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a four percent decline of insured across the state has occurred since 2010 – noting 266,000 Tennesseans gained coverage within a five year span through the Affordable Care Act. Currently over 230,000 are signed up through the Marketplace, according to the data provided.
Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services Public Affairs Officer April Washington, MMPA, provided the STAR with information in regards to state-by-state information for the Health Insurance Marketplace, but stated that county information within the state would not be available until the open enrollment period ends.
When visiting the HealthCare.gov and searching for just a basic plan without specific numbers being placed, results turned up two different insurers to choose from – Cigna and BlueCross Blue Shield.
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn) hosted Tennessee insurance commissioner Julie McPeak at a meeting of Senate Republican health committee members, along with state insurance commissioners from Maine and Wisconsin, to hear the commissioners’ input on “Obamacare”.
“We wanted to hear input from the Tennessee insurance commissioner, who has said that the Obamacare exchange in our state is ‘very near collapse,’ as well as the Wisconsin and Maine state insurance commissioners, who are seeing similar challenges in their states,” Alexander said in a statement to the STAR Tuesday. “The Obamacare exchanges are collapsing in Tennessee and across the country because of federal mandates, a lack of flexibility for states, increased costs and fewer choices for families. In most of our Tennessee counties, people only have one choice – we need to give people more choices. Democrats have proposed even more federal control, but the right prescription is not more of what caused the disease.”
In a letter directed to commissioners by McPeak in December, he stated that the Marketplace in Tennessee has seen premiums rising on the exchange as much as 76 percent. The letter added that 73 of Tennessee’s 95 counties, only one insurance is willing to sell health plans in 2017.
When addressing the Senate Tuesday afternoon, Alexander added that repeal and replace of Obamacare should only happen when concrete steps are in place and that multiple systems would be put in place to have healthcare out of Washington and provide more specific insurance at the state level, adding the those in favor of repeal and replace of Obamacare don’t want to “replace one failed federal system with another …”
Alexander added that he’s hoping to see some type of matter be made by March 1, noting that it is the deadline for insurance companies to start offering policies for 2018.
A recent report released by the HHS indicates that more than 11.5 million people nationwide signed up through the marketplace as of Dec. 24, 2016.
“Nationwide demand for health coverage is higher than ever, as Americans prove again that Marketplace coverage is vital to them and their families,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell. “For Americans who have not yet signed up, it’s not too late. Open enrollment continues through January 31st, but you should visit HealthCare.gov by this Sunday to ensure your coverage starts February 1st. Most HealthCare.gov consumers can find a plan for less than $75 per month in premiums, and millions are finding plans that meet their and their families’ needs.”
Speculation through Washington is that it could take up to two years before the marketplace is changed with “repeal and replace”. Until that time, consumers without health insurance are encouraged to visit HealthCare.gov or CuidadodeSalud.gov, their state Marketplace, or call 1-800-318-2596 to review their coverage options, learn about what financial assistance is available, or to sign up or re-enroll in a plan that best meets their needs, according to the HHS.
Consumers have until January 15 to sign up for coverage that starts February 1, but are allowing individuals to sign up through January 31.
HHS added the IRS will send direct mail to people who went without insurance in 2015 to encourage them to get covered instead of paying the penalty and letting them know financial help is available.