Affordable Care Act Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Advocates Celebrate Inflation Reduction Act Anniversary

Advocates gathered in Charleston to celebrate the first anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act.

On the first anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), advocates held a press conference to discuss resources available to West Virginians under the law.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 helps individuals lower their health, energy and tax bills. Some initiatives in the law aim to incentivize communities, businesses and industries to adopt energy-friendly practices.

Executive Director of the West Virginia Citizen Action Group, Gary Zuckett, said it is important to bring attention to the savings available to West Virginians from the IRA.

“It really has the potential to do so much good for West Virginia, and West Virginians, and the word is not really getting out,” Zuckett said. “We think that the more people find out about it and learn some of the benefits that would be coming into their communities and to their families and so forth, that they would appreciate more what this new, far-reaching federal legislation is trying to do.”

To improve health outcomes, the law includes prescription drug reform by allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices and capping the cost of insulin at $35.

“For the first time, Medicare (is allowed) to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for the seniors (who) so desperately need that. So many people on fixed incomes can’t afford their medications, but also reduces the copay on insulin,” Zuckett said. “It puts additional federal subsidies on the Affordable Care Act so that people can afford to get insurance so more people will be able to afford insurance. More people will be able to afford their prescription drugs, and it’ll save lives.”

According to Zuckett, on average, 23,000 West Virginians with Affordable Care Act coverage will save $1,500 a year, thanks to measures in the Inflation Reduction Act.

Ellen Allen is the director of West Virginians for Affordable Health Care. She called the IRA a historic investment into the U.S. health care system.

“Inflation reduction lowers health insurance premiums, caps the amount of money families pay for health insurance,” Allen said. “It lowers it so much that a middle-class family of four can see a reduction in yearly premiums over $18,000. Now that is meaningful, that is really meaningful. And West Virginians need to know about this, we need to talk about this and how it impacts our families on the ground.”

According to Allen, there are over 319,000 West Virginians who will benefit from Medicare being empowered to negotiate drug prices. By 2030, there will be 80 prescription drugs that Medicare will be able to price negotiate.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.

W.Va. Sees Record Increase In ACA Enrollments

West Virginians broke records in Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollment numbers during the ACA’s 10th open enrollment period. The state saw an increase of nearly 23 percent, the sixth highest increase in the nation.

West Virginia’s First Choice Services was awarded $1,050,000 last year to continue and expand the West Virginia Navigator program, which provides free assistance to people finding and selecting healthcare options through the Marketplace, Medicaid and CHIP.

Jeremy Smith, West Virginia Navigator program director, said a person is more likely to follow through with ACA enrollment when they work with a navigator.

“It’s really different for every family, and that’s why it can be so confusing, because we can’t just send out blanket information or this is the best way to do it,” Smith said. “We block off at least one hour appointments for each person, so that we can go through everything with a fine tooth comb, and make sure that they understand the options, and then help them make an informed decision of what’s going to be best for them.”

Nationwide, more than 16.3 million people signed up for an ACA Marketplace Health Plan during open enrollment. Smith said he believes this increase shows how education of the public’s options for their health care can make a difference.

“These are a lot of middle class working individuals that 10 years ago couldn’t have gotten health insurance, and now because of the Affordable Care Act, they can shop on a marketplace plan, and the government helps pay for whichever plan they pick out,” Smith said. “We’ve been working like crazy the last year and a half to get out in the community, and do outreach efforts to make sure people know about this option.”

West Virginia Navigator encourages anyone who loses their health coverage anytime during the year to contact them to find out what their options are, as some will qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

For more information about the West Virginia Navigator Program, visit www.ACANavigator.com.

With Rule Change, More Families Likely Eligible For Cheaper Health Insurance

Changes to Affordable Care Act coverage could mean cheaper health insurance for some West Virginia families.

Open enrollment for people who buy health insurance through the marketplace begins Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 15.

This year, a rule recently finalized by the Treasury Department attempted to fix what’s been called the “Family Glitch.” Families who qualify can now forgo their job-based insurance for a more affordable ACA plan. The White House estimated the change could help about one million people gain coverage or get more affordable insurance.

Workers will be permitted to sign up for a plan through the marketplace if their job-based coverage exceeds 9.12 percent of their expected income.

“This is great news for West Virginia families who need health insurance,” said Jeremy Smith, programs director for WV Navigator, which helps West Virginians navigate the ACA enrollment process.

“Thousands of families have never been able to get a plan through the marketplace only because they were offered unaffordable health insurance from their spouse’s job. They have finally created an affordability test,” he said.

Additionally, the signing of the Inflation Reduction Act secured enhanced subsidies and locked in lower prices for marketplace plans for three more years.

“These are probably the most affordable rates I’ve seen in this program,” Smith said. “People should definitely check it out if they need health insurance.”

WV Navigator will host in-person enrollment events around the state, and help is available by calling 304-356-5834.

Jan. 15 Deadline For Healthcare.gov Sign Ups

Saturday, Jan. 15 is the last day to enroll in a health insurance plan on healthcare.gov.

Anyone that doesn’t have insurance through their employer or programs like Medicare and Medicaid can get covered through the federal marketplace. The plans are meant to be affordable, since they’re subsidized by federal dollars.

“If they miss that deadline and don’t get enrolled, they may not be able to get coverage again until 2023,” said Jeremy Smith with WV Navigator. The federally funded, non-profit can help anyone choose and enroll in a health insurance plan.

“This is a free program. There’s no pressure to point you in one direction or another. It’s just a service to the community to help you get all your questions answered.”

WV Navigator has offices in Charleston, Barboursville, Fairmont and Martinsburg. Offices are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday. Anyone can call 304-356-5834 for assistance over the phone or to schedule an appointment.

Walk-in, sign up events are scheduled this week throughout the state:

Bridgeport Conference Center from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11
Holiday Inn in Martinsburg from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12
Bible Center Church in Charleston from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14

Plans are cheaper and more people are eligible than ever before due to COVID-19 relief funding.

“The number of people that can get a plan for under $10 a month, it’s more than doubled,” Smith said.

Smith said most high income earners who may not have qualified in the past can now enroll. Previously, those making 400% of the federal poverty level were not eligible. That cap has gone away.

“I helped a business owner a few weeks ago. She made $120,000 a year, and she still got a $1,000 a month subsidy to help her pay for her health insurance,” Smith said.

Since President Joe Biden took office, 4.6 million more people have insurance through the federal health exchange than in 2020. More than 21,000 West Virginia households get their insurance through Healthcare.gov.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.

Health Insurance Sign-Ups Open On Federal Marketplace

West Virginians can sign up once again for health insurance through healthcare.gov.

In previous years, there was only a six-week sign-up window for an insurance plan. In light of the pandemic, President Joe Biden has kept the marketplace open for most of 2021.

The current enrollment period lasts until Jan. 15 of next year.

Anyone who doesn’t have health insurance through their employer or a public program, like Medicaid, can purchase a plan through the federal marketplace. It has offered subsidized insurance since 2013, following the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010.

With COVID-19 relief funding, plans are now more affordable than ever, supporters said.

“The rates are better than they’ve been in a long time,” said Jeremy Smith with WV Navigator, a non-profit that helps people sign up for coverage. “This year is really special.”

Smith said those who earn higher incomes and who may not previously have qualified for the marketplace now have options, too. That would include single people who make $50,000 or less a year.

About 18,000 West Virginians currently get health coverage through the marketplace, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

“If you do not have health insurance, you are one serious injury or one serious illness away…from having to spend all your life savings or having to file bankruptcy,” said West Virginia Insurance Commissioner Allan McVey.

For assistance choosing a plan, West Virginians can reach out to the non-profit WV Navigator at 304-356-5834. Through funding from the American Rescue Plan, the organization has been able to open more locations and hire more staff.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.

Affordable Care Act Insurance Enrollment Closes Aug. 15.

Open enrollment for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act will close Aug. 15. In a final push to enroll more West Virginians in federal subsidized health insurance, the non-profit WV Navigator is hosting sign-up events this week.

The Cabell County Public Library will host an event this Wednesday. A More Excellent Way Life Center Church in Charleston’s West Side will host one on Thursday. These events last from noon to 6 p.m.. No appointment is necessary. Assistance is also available by calling (304) 356-5834.

In previous years, open enrollment for federally subsidized health insurance lasted less than two months. President Joe Biden extended that period this year to six months.

Those who can’t get health insurance through an employer or programs like Medicaid are eligible for insurance through the federal government. These subsidies were made available through the American Rescue Plan beginning in April.

“We’ve seen a lot of people that have been able to get health insurance this year for much more affordable rates than they ever imagined,” said Jeremy Smith with WV Navigator.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said more than 1.2 million customers have signed up this year for health plans costing less than $10 a month.

Smith said a few thousand West Virginians have taken advantage of these plans this year.

“A lot of people wait until the deadline,” Smith said. “We’re really hoping that with these last couple weeks, we can see a lot of people go ahead and check into their options and be able to get covered.”