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Health insurance changes in 2024
Healthcare is one of the important issues of any country that changes according to the population of the country and how they are dealing with it. Steps are always taken considering the health status of the people of the country and, at last, aiming to keep the country healthy.
Because of this, health policy updates vary by country. as people tend to take up insurance that includes family plans, and individual or employee health plans. The only thing is that the healthcare landscape is wider, and it tends to the health insurance change in 2024. Insurance plans are changing. and it can impact the trends and policies of individual healthcare insurance.
In this blog, we are diving deep to understand the 2024 healthcare policy update. We will see its impact on payers and the insurance taken by individuals. Let’s dive deeper into this blog and understand the health insurance changes in 2024 and more.
Healthcare policy reform effects of 2024 that you need to know
We already know how the landscape of healthcare policies is changing in the United States and it is gradually evolving with each step with the significant changes that are expected to be implemented at both the state and federal levels in 2024.
Insurance benefits changes are some of them listed below, where;
- Special access to personal care
- Mental health issues
- Prescription drug costs
- Reproductive rights
COVID-19 has changed and reformed healthcare reforms. They care for the welfare of the whole population. There are healthcare reforms stated for federal and State level healthcare policies, let’s understand healthcare insurance trends and changes in detail, considering both, federal and state healthcare policies.
Federal Healthcare Policies
The federal government focuses on making healthcare more affordable and accessible. Several duties are included in addressing various aspects, and they are:
- Social needs
- Expanding coverage
- Ensuring access to care for people
There are still few efforts going on post-COVID-19 situation and that has reduced various things such as:
- Prescription drug costs
- Advanced health equity
- Widespread vaccination policy ensures the safety of the overall population
Let’s learn more about the industries that are subject to federal health regulations.
1. Access to care is expanded
The Medical Coverage expansion analysis of the 2024 budget includes Medicaid in states that have not expanded Medicaid. It is included in the ACA, as are financial incentives for states for the expansions. Affordable Care Act modifications and tax credits are initially provided by Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
2. Overall COVID-19 recovery and vaccination
The COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing and the continued vaccination process is of course necessary to cover it as well. Including this, the government policy reform effects of proposals for the pandemic recovery are included in the new healthcare policy.
Vaccination is mandatory to prevent the disease, as are reporting provisions in medical policies. Healthcare workers should be fully vaccinated, and each healthcare organization should consist of surgical centers.
On February 1, 2024, a coalition of House Republicans was introduced, named U.S HR7216. These policies cannot work for elderly people or someone who is at greater risk of COVID-19.
3. Reproductive Rights
Reproductive rights should be conserved and they were spilled under the Biden Administration on January 24, 2024. There were several important announcements made, and they are;
- Abortion access protections, where women can abort whenever needed and required, and access to proper medications.
- It ensures medical special care where health organizations give access to emergency medical care for everyone.
- Healthcare workers are keenly supported with reproductive healthcare medication and processes.
- Patients can fight against the rights in the court to protect their reproductive rights when needed or against any obligations that stand.
Similarly, various reproductive rights tasks are planned in a way to protect reproductive rights both legally and practically and for the welfare of patients. Note down a few key strategies:
- Proper medication and abortion access are available to patients when needed
- Overall healthcare coverage for abortions
- Educating patients as well as healthcare professionals regarding reproductive health and abortion rights
- If the home state bans the abortion process, the patient can travel to other states for the abortion process.
State-Level Healthcare Policy Priorities
There is an individual state policy for healthcare, and that helps in providing healthcare services, treatment coverage, and the costs of the treatment. It impacts communities by prescribing drug costs and determining overall access to medical care.
There are various processes enrolled that are included under the state-level healthcare policy and they are;
1. Improving eligibility and smoothing the enrollment process
Healthcare policy is an ongoing struggle with the implementation of the ACA. Access to healthcare is not equally distributed across the United States, and thus it becomes complicated to enroll in its provisions.
Talking about Texas, it has the largest population of residents who do not have insurance. There are almost 5 million people who do not have access to any healthcare Medicare according to insurance marketing analysis. Conversation and efforts are ongoing to reduce the statistics of the residents of uninsured healthcare.
It was noted that there was a 37% increase in the enrollment of the ACA, which is also known as Obamacare. The large implementation of the federal Inflation Reduction Act has impacted a lot. Now, advocates in 2024 are about to move further with the current trend, as there is a decrease in the number of uninsured residents. Not only this but pushing the state to expand Medicaid is also for children and adults who are facing disabilities. Almost 8,000,000 people in Texas are going to receive access to healthcare.
2. Expanding Medicaid
Medicaid expansion supports both federal and state legislators and also advocates and ACA is one of the reasons for the implementation. In 2024, state action will help in Medicaid expansion. Governors of the state should approve the Medicaid expansion for adult people who have income up to 138% of the decided poverty level of the Federal rules and regulations.
Few states are not included in the Medicaid implementation and they are;
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kansas
- Mississippi
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
What medical issues will be looked at deeply in 2024?
Key regulations that will impact payers in 2024
In 2024, there are several policies from the Medicare Advantage and some Part D final rules that will affect:
1. Marketing Requirements
It helps to prevent marketing practices where TV ads must mention specific plan names and avoid spreading misleading information to people. The CMS of the healthcare authority will observe agents and brokers closely to prevent unwanted practices. Everyone will get a clear picture of information on overall Medicare coverage.
2. Prior Authorization
This is to specially address where the treatment care should not be delayed to provide it to customers. It allows prior authorization that will confirm the medical necessity. There is always a 90-day period for switching plans for ongoing treatment.
3. Behavioral Healthcare Network Adequacy
It is important to widen access to mental health care. The specialty is to add clinical psychologists and clinical social workers to the list of required specialties. It notifies the beneficiaries when the network provider is out and to not wait for long delays.
4. Part D Low Income Subsidy
This rule is to expand the low-income subsidy for Part-D beneficiaries who have an income up to 150% of the federal poverty level. This change provides all the benefits to those who previously received partial subsidies, which help decrease the deductibles and premiums. Apart from this, lowering copayments for certain drugs and providing access for patients.
Transparency in Coverage Final Rule
The rule was made on January 1, 2024. Health plans must post estimated cost-sharing for all services online. The phases required health plans and offered price tools for 500 services.
Medicare Premiums and Deductibles
New Medicare premiums and deductibles for 2024 will impact beneficiaries. They will also affect insurance costs. Insurance cost implications include;
- Medicare Part B: Most beneficiaries will pay $174.70 per month. The annual deductible is $240.
- Medicare Part A has two rates. Beneficiaries with at least 30 quarters will pay $278 per month. Those with less coverage or disabilities will pay $505 per month. The Part A deductible is $1,632.
- Medicare Advantage and Part D: The average Medicare Advantage monthly premium will be $18.50. The average monthly Part D premium will be $55.50.
Conclusion
Health insurance changes in 2024 will impact both the state and federal levels. Some key areas are included to improve access to personal care, mental health services, and reproductive rights. The analysis shows the Medicaid expansion, some other marketing requirements, and prior authorization.
The healthcare updates and insurance market analysis are important for everyone to know. They help payers and providers navigate the changing healthcare system. The updates also help ensure better health for the overall population.
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