Dive Brief:
- Providers and insurers are thinking about how to handle the aftermath of the King v. Burwell case that could strike down health insurance subsidies for the approximately 6.4 million people whose states rely on the federal insurance exchange.
- The Supreme Court is expected to announce a decision by the end of June—possibly as early as Thursday.
- Hospitals are reportedly looking at plans for charity care, lobbying, increased ER staffing to manage more uninsured patients and educating the majority of their consumers who have no idea what's happening or what their options will be.
Dive Insight:
Healthcare experts tell The Wall Street Journal that the possible loss of billions in subsidies is forcing those in the industry to strategize ahead, with sometimes controversial solutions. Some are seeing consumers taking advantage of plan benefits now, in anticipation of losing their coverage.
Among efforts underway:
- Anthem BlueCross BlueShield in Maine is among those insurers backing state legislative efforts to preserve subsidies. It has gotten behind a proposal to create a state-based exchange.
- The nationwide Ascension Health system is planning to lobby national and state legislators to back proposals to extend subsidies.
- Trinity Health is considering an expansion of its charity care and expects to promote the idea of a legislative patch to extend subsidies and prevent coverage gaps.
The Wall Street Journal reports that some hospitals are discussing the idea of paying certain patients' premiums to maintain their coverage, but says the Obama administration is discouraging the concept, arguing that specifically keeping sick patients enrolled will make plans more expensive to operate.