Commissioner Mike Chaney issues statement on Supreme Court Health Care Ruling

Posted: June 26, 2015 13:23 by BlogAdmin

Commissioner of Insurance Mike Chaney –

 

“Today the United States Supreme Court issued a ruling in the King v. Burwell case, in favor of the defendant, Department of Health and

 

Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell, which means federal tax credit subsidies can legally continue to be applied in states where the

 

Individual Health Insurance Marketplace, commonly called the Exchange, is operated by the federal government.  Since Mississippi’s

 

Marketplace is operated by the federal government, this ruling means that over 100,000 Mississippians who purchased individual health

 

insurance through the Marketplace will continue to receive health insurance coverage.

 

“Although I may not agree with everything in the Affordable Care Act, it remains the law of the land and I will continue to work within the

 

framework of the law to regulate health insurance for the benefit of all Mississippians.”

 

Mississippi's SHOP Marketplace - One, Mississippi

Posted: July 18, 2014 10:20 by BlogAdmin

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that every State have a health insurance exchange (also called a “Marketplace”) in operation in 2014. A State may operate a Marketplace for individual consumers, small businesses or both. The Mississippi Insurance Department has decided to establish and operate a Health Insurance Marketplace for small businesses called One, Mississippi™. The Marketplace is an easy-to-use, easy-to-understand online tool that assists Mississippi’s small business owners interested in providing quality health insurance to their employees.

One, Mississippi is a one-stop shop where businesses with 2 to 50 full-time equivalent employees may choose from multiple, affordable health insurance options. An employer chooses one of four tiers and the employee chooses a plan in that tier. Employers also designate a contribution percentage toward the employee’s premium cost. Employees can use that contribution toward a health insurance plan that best fits their needs and budgets within the employer-selected tier.

Employers that meet certain qualifications may be eligible for a Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credit. The amount of the tax credit and what qualifications the employer must meet depend on which taxable year a small employer claims the credit. Some of the qualifications remain the same regardless of when the tax credit is claimed.

The eligibility requirements that small employers must meet are:

 ·         Employ no more than twenty-five (25) full-time equivalent employees;

 ·         Pay average annual wages below $50,000; and

 ·         Pay a uniform percentage for all employees that is equal to at least fifty percent (50% of the premium cost of the individual health insurance for each employee.

One, Mississippi first opened for enrollment in May 2014 and after a short amount of time the Marketplace has already helped many small business owners in Mississippi acquire health coverage for their employees. Employers can enroll in the Marketplace online at www.onemississippi.com or through a licensed and certified insurance agent or broker. For more information, please call 1-855-9MS-SHOP or 1-855-967-7467.

 

Chaney on BCBS-HMA Settlement

Posted: December 20, 2013 14:51 by BlogAdmin

“I have said all along that this is a commercial dispute between BCBS and HMA.  Sometimes it is painful and takes time to resolve differences like these. We know from experience that when you give private markets time to work out their differences and grievances, these issues can be resolved without government interference. That has proven to be the case here and I am pleased. 

Although the network matter has been resolved between the parties, the Insurance Department will issue our examination report addressing network adequacy in the very near future.”

Commissioner on ACA Policy Cancellations

Posted: November 14, 2013 14:14 by BlogAdmin

The President announced today that the federal government would delay enforcement of the Affordable Care Act’s market reforms in 2014 for plans that are currently in effect.

 

In Mississippi we took steps several months ago to ensure that these reforms would have initial minimal impact on policyholders in our state. We allowed and encouraged the carriers to extend their plan years and coverage periods until December, 2014, allowing our citizens to keep their existing coverage with minimum rate increases and with more choices.

 

We do not expect that the President’s actions announced today will have any major impact on our state. However, it is quite possible that in the long run these reforms will have a major impact on the solvency of companies and might be a major cost to the industry, thus driving up prices over time. We will continue to closely follow any further developments to ensure we protect the interests of Mississippians.

 

JOINT Mississippi Insurance Department/Mississippi Attorney General Press Release

Posted: October 1, 2013 15:17 by BlogAdmin

Jackson, MS—Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney and Attorney General Jim Hood are warning Mississippians to be aware of the con-artists that may emerge as federal and state agencies prepare for the Federal Facilitated Health Insurance Marketplace (FFM) rollout under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

“We see scammers try to take advantage of such transitions, in this case hoping to take advantage of people who are not familiar with the nation’s new health care law,” said Attorney General Hood. 

Starting today, if you are uninsured or buy your own coverage you can enroll for health insurance through the Federal Facilitated Health Insurance Marketplace for coverage beginning as soon as January 1, 2014. 

“The Marketplace will allow you to compare and select plans,” said Commissioner Chaney.  “Although enrollment opens on October 1, there is no need to rush out to purchase a plan, take your time, get as much information as you can before making a decision as to the plan that best suits you and your family’s needs. The federal government regulates and approves the plans for this marketplace. I would caution consumers purchasing through the FFM that they may be limited in their choice of medical providers based on the insurance company networks.”

Scammers Taking Advantage.

Unfortunately, scammers will undoubtedly attempt to take advantage of consumers once the Marketplace takes effect.  In some cases, criminals will try to collect personal or financial information.  In other cases, unscrupulous sales people will try to sell “discount medical plans.”   Those so-called discount plans may be insurance plans that really don’t save you money, or they may not be legitimate health insurance plans at all.

Medicare is not part of Federal Facilitated Health Insurance Marketplace.

If you are a Medicare beneficiary, you don’t need to do anything—you are considered covered. The Marketplace won’t affect your Medicare choices, and your benefits will not change.

Tips to Avoid Scams.

1. The government will not call or email you to solicit enrollment plans.  Your Marketplace options and additional information are available at www.HealthCare.gov or the Help Center at 1-800-318-2596.

2. Anyone who claims they’re enrolling you for coverage through the Marketplace should be verified by contacting www.HealthCare.gov or the Help Center at 1-800-318-2596.

3. Guard your personal information!  If a caller claims they are with the government verifying personal information for a new government health insurance or Medicare card, hang up.  (Medicare isn’t part of the Marketplace established by ACA, so you don't have to replace your Medicare coverage with Marketplace coverage.)  The information they may seek could include Social Security numbers or bank account  information for “direct deposits.”

4. Be wary of sound-alike government or company names, especially if they list a toll-free number other than the Help Center’s number (1-800-318-2596).

 Legitimate Sources for Information & Coverage Enrollment.

You can learn more about qualified health plans offer in Mississippi through the FFM through several sources:

Website:  www.HealthCare.gov: This is the federal government’s official FFM website.  Here you can now get information, compare plans and coverage options, and you can enroll starting October 1.

Help Center: 1-800-318-2596: The Help Center is now open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  You can talk with a customer service representative, obtain the same information you’ll find on the website, and you can enroll for coverage starting October 1.

Navigators: Navigators, who are government trained and certified, will help answer Marketplace questions, discuss eligibility and options, and prepare electronic and paper applications to establish eligibility and enroll in coverage through the Marketplace.  On October 1, you’ll find Mississippi Navigators through the federal government’s website or Help Center (see above).  In Mississippi, there are only two approved Navigators:  Universtiy of Mississippi Medical Center (Jackson, MS) and Oak Hill Missionary Baptist Church Ministries, Inc. (Hernando, MS).         

Certified Application Counselors: These counselors will perform many of the same functions as navigators, including educating consumers and helping people complete applications for coverage.  Counselors might come from community health centers or other health care providers, hospitals or social service agencies.  On October 1, you’ll find Certified Application Counselors through the federal government’s website or Help Center.  

Agents and Brokers: State-licensed health insurance agents and brokers who meet Health Insurance Marketplace requirements may enroll individuals in coverage through the Marketplace. Contact your local agent.

 For more information on this topic, go to www.HealthCare.gov or the Federal Help Center at  1-800-318-2596. Additional information may also be obtained at the Mississippi Insurance Department’s website:  www.mid.ms.gov.  To file a complaint regarding a possible scam, contact the Consumer Protection Division of the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office by calling 601-359-4230 or 1-800-281-4418.