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ACS Study Finds Short-Term Limited Duration Insurance Plans Associated With Advanced Cancer Diagnoses
ATLANTA, GA — Short-term limited duration (STLD) insurance plans do not provide comprehensive coverage and can leave patients who are diagnosed with a serious disease like cancer with catastrophic costs. In a new, large national study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, American Cancer Society (ACS) researchers found the 2018 federal policy loosening ... Furthermore, if Congress makes significant cuts to the Medicaid program, more individuals will find themselves lured in by the initial low cost of STLDs, only to find their coverage inadequate and the out-of-pocket cost unsustainable if they’re diagnosed with a chronic disease like ...
Administration Decision to Withhold CSR Payments Threatens Access to Affordable Health Insurance
Washington, D.C.— Oct. 13, 2017—The administration announced yesterday evening it will immediately end funding for cost sharing reductions (CSRs) that help low- and middle-income families afford their health coverage. The announcement follows an executive order issued earlier in the day encouraging the creation of association health plans and signaling a change in the rules governing the length and renewability of short-term catastrophic insurance plans. A statement from Chris Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) follows: “The administration’s decision to withhold funding to help individuals afford their health coverage will destabilize the ...
Lifesaving Colorectal Cancer Bill Passes the U.S. House
The U.S. House of Representatives just passed our legislation to close the colorectal cancer loophole. ACS CAN volunteers have worked tirelessly for years and it is thanks to their great work that this important legislation has now passed the House. Because of the loophole, many seniors on Medicare have been skipping lifesaving colonoscopies. Under Medicare, there should be no cost-sharing for a colonoscopy. But, if the doctor removes a polyp - which can be pre-cancerous - a patient can wake up to a $300 bill. The ...
Cancer Patients Need Accurate Information When Shopping for Health Coverage in Medicare
WASHINGTON – December 4, 2018 -- "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 is out of network after it is too late to switch plans. ACS ...
Report: Complex Medicare Appeals Process Leaves Patients at Risk for Delayed or Denied Care
Washington, D.C.— As millions of seniors and other enrollees select their 2021 Medicare health benefits during annual open enrollment, a new report details just how confusing the program’s appeals process can be should a patient need to appeal a claim denial for health care services or prescription drugs. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action ... the Medicare Trust Fund—action which is likely to include changes to seniors’ Medicare coverage options that could result in out-of-pocket cost implications. “When lawmakers consider significant changes to Medicare enrollee benefits they often cite the fact that patients can always ...
Senate Rejects Resolution to Halt Short-Term Insurance Changes and Preserve Patient Protections
... D.C.— Today the U.S. Senate rejected a resolution under the Congressional Review Act that would have prevented the extension and expansion of short-term limited duration health insurance plans (STLD) as allowed under a new rule from the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor and Treasury. The rule allows insurers to issue – for up to 36 months – so-called short-term health insurance plans. Insurers can deny or charge people more for these plans based on their health status, are not required to cover essential health services, like prescription ...
President's Budget Includes 94-cent Cigarette Tax Increase
... Obama proposed increasing the federal tax on cigarettes by 94 cents per pack. Increasing the tax on tobacco products is proven to be one of the most effective ways to prevent children from picking up that first cigarette. Scientific studies have shown that a 10% increase in the cost of a pack of cigarettes can decrease youth smoking by over 6%. ACS CAN's own studies show that the proposed increase would prevent 493,000 children from premature death ...
Legislation Aimed at Eliminating Financial Barriers to Prostate Cancer Screening Introduced in U.S. Congress
... Today, the Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening for High-risk Insured Men (PSA Screening for HIM) Act was introduced in the United States House of Representatives by Representatives Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-FL) and Yvette Clarke (D-NY) with Representatives Greg Murphy (R-NC) and Troy ... Screening for HIM) Act in the United States Senate, along with Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ). This bipartisan legislative proposal would waive cost-sharing requirements for men with the highest risk of prostate cancer, focusing on those with a family history of the disease. For men who ... for HIM Act ZERO Prostate Cancer , the American Urological Association (AUA), and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are ongoing supporters of the bill and have worked to pass legislation at both the state and national levels to eliminate out-of-pocket costs ...
Advocacy in Action: Critical Loophole Plugged
On Friday, ACS CAN let its voice be heard raising the issue of an alarming loophole included in the Senate version of the health care reform legislation. Specific language would limit annual caps on benefits for patients of chronic disease such as cancer who are struggling with the high cost of care. This dangerous loophole could subject cancer patients to abrupt termination of care. And on Friday, the White House and Congress ...
Over 150 Patient and Health Care Groups Urge Congress to Pass DIVERSE Trials Act
... allow sponsors to provide patients with technology necessary to facilitate remote participation in clinical trials; and require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create guidance on the use of decentralized trials to increase trial diversity. “These changes would greatly benefit patients and research alike,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), which organized the group letter. “Patients overwhelmingly want to participate in clinical trials, but patients in remote areas or with ...