The Affordable Care Act seems to always be in a policy tug-of-war as its backers and critics spar over how it should work and who can qualify for coverage. This year is no different, with the Trump administration embracing standards it says will reduce fraud as well as steps that could further erode national enrollment.
Wide-ranging ACA changes pushed by the administration were finalized in mid-May, including new offerings such as plans with 30% higher out-of-pocket costs, and others with no set networks of doctors and hospitals.
The administration says such plans expand consumers’ choices and may carry lower premiums.
The rule stated, though, that the combined effect of the new provisions could not only cost $1.3 billion each year to implement, but also reduce enrollment by up to an additional 2 million next year. That would come on top of already anticipated sign-up decreases this year because of higher premiums and smaller subsidy payments.
Over time, lower enrollment can boost premiums if insurers suspect their costs are rising because healthier people drop coverage more than sicker members do.
