Affordable Care Act

Minnesota's ACA insurance exchange, MNsure, is spending state money this year to hire health care navigators who reach out to consumers to answer questions and help them find the right health plan.

Need Help Picking An ACA Health Plan? Some States Are Reaching Out

5:34am November 01, 2017

by Mark Zdechlik

States aren't getting nearly as much federal money this year to explain and campaign for Affordable Care Act policies. Some are trying to make up the shortfall; others lack the cash or political will.

Diane Brown, executive director of the Arizona Public Interest Research Group, talks to college students about the benefits of buying health coverage on the exchanges.

With ACA Plans A Tougher Sell, Insurers Bring On The Puppies

8:01pm October 31, 2017

by Gisele Grayson

The federal government has all but dropped out of marketing the Affordable Care Act, so states, corporations and private groups are stepping up. Some are going cute, while others get serious.

Queue Listen Now

People hoping to get health insurance coverage in 2018 may need to make sure their 2017 premiums are paid.

If You're Shopping For Health Insurance, Make Sure You're Paid Up On Old Plan

3:58pm October 31, 2017

by Michelle Andrews

People hoping to get federally subsidized coverage on the marketplaces should make sure their 2017 premiums are paid and that they filed the correct documents with their 2016 taxes.

Cigna Gets Green Light To Raise Obamacare Rates 25 Percent

10:54am October 31, 2017

by Associated Press

The much-smaller competitor to Blue Cross on North Carolina's "Obamacare" health insurance marketplace is raising rates by an average of almost 25 percent.

Consumers could get cheaper coverage overall because higher subsidies are cutting out-of-pocket costs.

Shop Around: Subsidies May Offset Your 2018 Health Insurance Price Hike

4:08pm October 30, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

Premiums for top-line HealthCare.gov policies are going up, federal officials confirm. But higher subsidies could cut some consumers' out-of-pocket expenses enough to make coverage cheaper overall.

From left, Yudelmy Cataneda, Javier Suarez and Claudia Suarez talk about health insurance with Yosmay Valdivian (right), an insurance agent from Sunshine Life and Health Advisors, at the Mall of Americas in Miami in 2014.

5 Points To Keep In Mind When Shopping For Health Insurance This Year

2:17pm October 30, 2017

Open enrollment on the exchanges for health insurance created by the Affordable Care Act will be different this time around. Here are some tips on how to make the most of it.

Christy Torres of Foundations Communities in Austin contacts people who bought insurance on Healthcare.Gov. to tell them it's almost time to renew.

With Federal Funds Cut, Others Must Lead Health Insurance Sign-Up Efforts

5:36pm October 28, 2017

Since the Trump administration slashed outreach funds and shortened the enrollment period to sign up for Affordable Care Act plans, local groups struggle to get the word out to Latinos and others.

Queue Listen Now

Reductions In Federal Funding For Health Law Navigators Cut Unevenly

1:39pm October 26, 2017

by Alex Olgin

North and South Carolina have very different outlooks since the Trump administration cut funding for the helpers who assist people signing up for health insurance.

"Obamacare gives states very little flexibility for innovation," said Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, after withdrawing the state's insurance waiver request.

Health & Safety

Administration Denies More States' Plans To Customize Insurance Markets

4:00pm October 24, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

Proposals from Iowa and Massachusetts to create reinsurance that would lower health insurance premiums didn't get off the ground.

The Washington Post reports that President Trump, shown here with former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, personally intervened to delay approval of Iowa's waiver application.

Administration Sends Mixed Signals On State Health Insurance Waivers

9:05am October 19, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

When states applied for waivers from Obamacare rules to reduce premiums and strengthen their insurance markets, they didn't get the answers they wanted, prompting some to suggest a conspiracy.