Affordable Care Act

Short-term health care plans could be a more affordable option for some consumers, but they're exempt from covering people with pre-existing conditions.

Under New Rules, Cheaper 'Short-Term' Health Care Plans Now Last Up To 3 Years

2:33pm August 01, 2018

by Alison Kodjak

A new Trump administration rule allows consumers to buy health care plans that are exempt from certain Affordable Care Act rules — and therefore cheaper.

Health & Safety

Blue Cross NC Plans To Lower Rates For Affordable Care Act Plans

4:36pm July 31, 2018

by Keri Brown

Thousands of customers that receive Affordable Care Act plans with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina could soon see cheaper insurance premiums.

Trump Administration Cuts Funding For ACA Navigators

10:56am July 12, 2018

by Neal Charnoff

It will soon be harder for North Carolina residents to seek help when looking for health insurance. Federal grant money that supports Affordable Care Act navigators has been significantly cut.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (from left), Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and Vice President Pence met on Capitol Hill Tuesday, ahead of meetings with Republican senators. Democrats vow to challenge Kavanaugh's nomination in upcoming heari

Democrats Say Trump's Supreme Court Nominee Is A Threat To The ACA

11:14am July 11, 2018

by Julie Rovner

Senate Democrats see defense of the Affordable Care Act's popular provisions as a rally issue that could keep their caucus unified when Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation battle heats up.

Charlie Wood of Charlottesville, Va., plays with bubbles during a May 4, 2017, rally near the Capitol to oppose proposed changes to the Affordable Care Act. Charlie was born a few months prematurely, and her mother, Rebecca (left), fears changes to the he

What To Watch For As Trump Takes Aim At ACA Protections

6:02pm June 08, 2018

The Trump administration has declined to defend key provisions of the Affordable Care Act in court, saying protections for people with pre-existing conditions should be declared unconstitutional.

California is starting to push hospitals throughout the state to lower their rates of medically unnecessary C-sections.

California's Message To Hospitals: Shape Up Or Lose 'In-Network' Status

11:55am May 23, 2018

by April Dembosky

Covered California, the state's health insurance exchange, will exclude hospitals from insurance networks if they don't reduce their numbers of C-sections, back scans and opioid prescriptions.

Patients with private insurance like the drug coupons because they can help make specialty medicines more affordable. But health care analysts say the coupons may also discourage patients from considering appropriate lower-cost alternatives, including gen

Why Can't Medicare Patients Use Drugmakers' Discount Coupons?

5:00am May 09, 2018

by Michelle Andrews

U.S. law prohibits people on Medicare from using the discount coupons the makers of expensive medicines offer. The law aims to reduce federal drug spending and Medicare fraud, but can feel unfair.

The House bill calls for $65 million in loans and grants, administered by the USDA, to establish "association-style" health plans that likely wouldn't have to cover hospitalization, prescription drugs or emergency care.

Farm Bill Could Undo Part Of The Affordable Care Act

5:00am May 08, 2018

by Julie Appleby

A provision now in the House's bill would help agricultural groups set up association health plans. Such plans, favored alternatives of the GOP, aim to reduce health care costs for small groups.

The new exemptions will mostly apply to penalty payments tied to 2018 taxes and to the previous two years.

4 New Exemptions To The Tax Penalty For Lacking Health Insurance

5:00am April 24, 2018

by Michelle Andrews

Rule changes from the Trump administration offer exemptions for people in areas with only one marketplace plan, as well as for some who oppose abortion and can't find a health plan that excludes it.

Health & Safety

Final 2018 Obamacare Numbers Show Decline In Enrollment

3:55pm April 09, 2018

by Bethany Chafin

Fewer North Carolinians signed up for 2018 insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act, mirroring a national trend.