What to Expect from the 2019 Changes in Health Insurance

​Seema Verma, the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) said in a statement that “Americans are in desperate need of more affordable health insurance options.” Thus, it is no surprise that the talk of the town in 2017-2018 is about health care reform. 2019 is the year where such a health reform is projected to take effect, and here’s what you need to know.

The Latest News and Updates on Healthcare Reform
On March 11, 2019, the White House duly proposed a $4.7 trillion budget for 2020. A 12 percent cut to Health and Human Services is embraced in this budget request.

One of the notable proposals of “Budget for a Better America” is a repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It endorses the conversion of the law’s funding into actual state block grants. In addition, it also suggests a ban on exchange plans which do not oblige the customer to pay a premium.

Attached to the new budget is the cutting of Medicaid funding by around $1.5 trillion over nine years. A repeal to ACA’s expansion of the program is also an appendage to this budget reassessment. Thusly, Medicare spending would then be decreased by $845 billion in just a span of 10 years.  

Non-Enactment of Certain Repeals
Notably, the Grand Old Party proposals so the ACA remained futile. Unsuccessful were the efforts of Republicans in their attempt to pass 3 different versions of the bills. While there were numerous versions and pieces of the ACA repeal legislation introduced, none of them bore fruit. Essentially, ACA reforms were not seriously considered and heard again in Congress.

Penalty for Individual Mandate No Longer Applicable in 2019
Despite their futile efforts of ACA repeal, GOP lawmakers did succeed in one repeal: the non-payment of individual mandate penalty. It was essentially included as part of the tax bill that they have passed in 2017.  

The effects of this penalty repeal took effect last January. People who are uninsured in 2019 (who would get health insurance) will not face a penalty of an individual mandate. 

However, people who were uninsured last year will still owe a penalty. In other words, those enrolled with health insurance plans last year are not eligible for this non-payment of tax penalty. They may want to consider applying for a major medical insurance policy instead.

Open Enrollment Dates Still Continue at Shorter Periods
The open enrollment proposal made in 2017 still continues to apply in 2019. In 2018, some states conducted open enrollment which lasted only six weeks, from November 1 to December 15, 2018. Likewise, the open enrollment for 2019 is also of a noticeable shorter enrollment period than the previous years. Nevertheless, each State and state-based exchange has the prerogative to extend their periods of open enrollment. An update to such periods will be delivered over the course of 2019.


ACA Exchanges Remain
The Health Insurance Marketplace—state-based and federal government-controlled exchanges—remain to be facilitated for the open enrollment this year.  Through these government exchanges, one can enroll in individual medical insurance plans as well as apply for income-based subsidies.

What Stays and What Goes
Healthcare reform in 2019 still takes much progression. While some protocols remain, other exchanges are modified to make way for the laws to take effect. Nevertheless, it is still important to contact your healthcare provider as to the changes that came with your plan.

At Choice Enrollment, we do our best in making sure that our clients are well-protected with affordable and comprehensive policies. We make sure to go the extra mile to help you with your needs. To learn more about how we can help you, please contact our agency at (719) 481-1616 or Click Here to request a free quote.