Site Search

Share

X

Search Results

HHS Requires Insurers to Give Consumers More Information About Limited Benefit Health Plans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 9, 2010 – The Department of Health and Human Services issued new guidance that will give consumers more information about their health insurance plans.  Under the new rules, providers who offer limited benefit or “mini med” plans must inform consumers in user-friendly ... policy is inadequate until they are diagnosed with a life-threatening disease such as cancer and suddenly face major hurdles to getting the care they need. People with mini-med policies deserve full and straightforward disclosure about what their plan covers and, more importantly, what ...

Consumer and Public Health Groups Express Concern About Out-of-Pocket Limits

WASHINGTON, D.C. April 8, 2013 The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) today joined consumer and public health groups representing millions of Americans in urging the administration to revisit guidance issued earlier this year that could subject patients to far higher out-of-pocket spending than was intended in the Affordable Care Act (ACA).ξ For the first time, the ACA sets a limit on out-of-pocket costs for patients at $6,250 annually. However, an FAQ issued by the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury on Feb. 20 permits health plans with two or more administrators to maintain separate and ...

Patient Advocates: Supreme Court Decision Ensures Continued Access to Critical Care

... ensures that more than 6 million low- and middle-income people nationwide will continue to receive the financial assistance they need to afford health coverage,” said Chris Hansen, president of ACS CAN, the American Cancer Society’s advocacy affiliate. “It means that millions of people with serious health conditions such as cancer will continue to have access to essential treatment and care, and millions of others at risk for disease will be able to afford preventive screenings and tests that could save their lives.” “Congress ...

Proposed Short-Term Health Plan Rule Would Strengthen Patient Protections

WASHINGTON, D.C.— July 7, 2023 — Today the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor and the Treasury Department jointly released a proposed rule that would return the sale of new ... rule would also require STLD issuers to comply with new notice requirements to help consumers distinguish between an STLD plan and comprehensive health coverage.  STLD plans – which often have very limited coverage benefits and do not have to follow ACA rules – were initially intended ... people often mistake for a better deal. Comprehensive, adequate coverage is key to curbing an individual’s medical debt by covering necessary care and further, ensure proper protection – from penalties or discrimination for pre-existing conditions.   “Moreover, the deceptive and ...

Cancer Patients Need Accurate Information When Shopping for Health Coverage in Medicare

... "The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is troubled by reports that the administration is not enforcing a requirement that health plans provide accurate information in Medicare provider directories. Cancer disproportionately impacts older Americans, most of whom access health insurance through Medicare. Access to accurate information is critical for families affected by cancer who are trying to guarantee their insurance coverage will meet their health care needs. Medicare beneficiaries could face significant out-of-pocket costs if they buy a plan only to find out that a necessary medical provider ...

Marketplace Health Insurance Changes Likely to Impede Patients’ Access to Insurance; Increase Consumer Costs

Washington, D.C.--Today the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule regarding changes to marketplace health insurance plans. The rule, intended to help stabilize insurance markets created by the Affordable Care Act, potentially restricts patients’ access to special enrollment periods (SEPs), reduces the number of Essential Community Providers with ... supports a strong marketplace and welcomes efforts to strengthen it. However, any improvement efforts should not jeopardize access to meaningful health insurance for cancer patients, survivors and those at risk for the disease.   “Under the new rule, patients trying to enroll in insurance ...

Cancer Patients Urge Congress to Include Critical Health Provisions in Reconciliation Package

... prepares to consider the Build Back Better Act , cancer patients, survivors and their caregivers are urging lawmakers to make sure certain key health provisions are included in any final legislation. Those provisions include: Closing the Medicaid coverage gap in the 12 states that have yet to expand Medicaid eligibility Extending the increased subsidies for purchasing health coverage on the marketplace Capping Medicare enrollee’s prescription drug costs while smoothing expenses for beneficiaries Creating a paid ... people would gain coverage. For cancer patients enrolled in Medicare the unlimited cost sharing for prescription drugs can render their care unaffordable. Capping the costs and allowing them to space out prescription co-payments throughout the year, rather than upfront, would enable ...

House Takes Big Step in Right Direction for Montana’s Health and Business Community

... remove the sunset clause on Montana Medicaid expansion, assuring that tens of thousands state residents continue to have access to life-saving health care. “This is obviously important to keeping Montana healthy and prosperous,” American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Montana Grassroots ... the foundation for a healthy, prosperous state as well as a hand up for those who sometimes work multiple jobs but still cannot afford private health care. More than half of Montana Medicaid enrollees no longer need the program within two years or less, either gaining benefits through an ...

American Cancer Society Expert Testifies About Proposed Health Insurance Market Changes

Washington, D.C., February 2, 2017—Requiring people to maintain continuous health insurance coverage or risk the imposition of higher premiums could pose significant burdens to cancer patients and survivors, according to Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society. During a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing on insurance market changes, Lichtenfeld said the draft bills raise questions about the ways in which someone with a pre-existing ... Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), Lichtenfeld urged committee members to consider the impact of potential changes to the health care law on cancer patients and survivors. It’s estimated that 15.5 million Americans are cancer survivors and 1.7 million will be diagnosed with ...

Regulation Gives Consumers and Patients Critical Information About Health Benefits

Washington, D.C. -- February 9, 2012 -- The administration today issued a final rule that defines the standard information that health insurers must provide to consumers about the benefits offered in their plans. Following is a statement from Stephen Finan, senior director ... to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. His statement follows: Nearly two years ago, Congress passed legislation directing health insurers to give patients and consumers clear, concise and timely information about their health benefits. The regulation released today ... health plan would cover for someone expecting a baby or managing diabetes. No wonder it is one of the most popular provisions of the Affordable Care Act, given that consumers wanting information about their health plan currently must pore through documents that are often difficult to obtain ...

Type

Priority Issue

State

Policy Issue

Judicial Advocacy