Industry Brief:
- Though hospitals are barred under federal anti-kickback statues from assisting patients in federal health programs, they can help with premiums for private plans sold on the new federal marketplace, HHS has announced.
- As things stand, patients get a 90-day grace period before an insurer can drop their coverage, but health plans cover only the costs incurred during the first 30 days.
- Hospital industry leaders say the new policy could save them a great deal of money, particularly if they have a large uncompensated care population.
Dive Analysis:
While it's not discussed that much in news coverage of the ACA rollout, there's a large population of patients who won't be able to afford to buy health insurance in the federal or state marketplaces. While the HHS decision doesn't throw the door wide open -- states may prohibit hospitals from picking up premiums -- it does suggest a way in which hospitals can use the ACA to protect themselves. While hospitals can't exactly go straight into paying premiums willy-nilly, it might be a viable option for some. In other words, the HHS decision is great news.