NEW CASTLE (July 25, 2017) – Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker, a board-certified family physician, released the following statement urging the U.S. Senate not to approve a health care reform bill expected to be voted on today:

“On behalf of the tens of thousands of Delawareans who have gained health coverage through the Affordable Care Act, I urge the U.S. Senate not to support the House version of health care reform. Proposals currently under discussion in the Senate threaten the health and independence of many of the 27,000 people who receive coverage through Delaware’s Health Insurance Marketplace and the 225,000 Delawareans who depend on Medicaid for their health care and supportive services, including seniors in nursing homes, individuals with disabilities, and children and adults in low-income households.

“The bill before the U.S. Senate is the wrong direction for Delaware and it’s the wrong direction for our country. I urge the Congress to seek out bipartisan fixes to the Affordable Care Act that won’t take health insurance and health care away from people in our state and across the country, but will provide more people with choice and options that are affordable.”

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The Department of Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of life of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney issued the following statement on efforts in Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act:

“Any changes to the Affordable Care Act and our nation’s health system more broadly should focus on reducing cost, expanding access to quality healthcare, and protecting the most vulnerable among us. Legislation passed last week by Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives would take us in the wrong direction. The legislation would shift costs onto those who can least afford it and target important protections for those with pre-existing conditions. It also could cost Delaware taxpayers millions and worsen our state budget challenges by reducing federal funding for Medicaid. My administration will continue to work closely with our congressional delegation to analyze the potential impact to Delawareans.”

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney issued the following statement Tuesday on the U.S. House Republicans’ plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act:

“The Republican proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act would dramatically change how the federal government funds Medicaid, reduce access to quality healthcare for many vulnerable Delaware families and cost Delaware taxpayers millions each year. We will work closely with Delaware’s congressional delegation to oppose this change, and any other deep cuts to Delaware’s Medicaid program. No law is perfect, and the Affordable Care Act is no exception. But these changes take us in the wrong direction. Any changes to the Affordable Care Act and our nation’s healthcare system more broadly should drive down the cost of care and make our population healthier. This proposal simply shifts costs to those who can least afford it. It would also make our state’s budget challenges even worse.”

Dover, DE-The open enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace ends on January 31, 2017. If you qualify for coverage through the Marketplace, tomorrow is the last day you will be able to sign up for a health insurance plan for 2017. In previous years there has been a surge in website traffic and phone calls to sign up in the final days of the open enrollment period, sometimes causing the federal government to issue extensions. No extensions are expected to be issued this year so consumers need to sign up now if they want to be covered. “Eight out of ten uninsured Delawareans who were eligible for a Marketplace plan qualified for some level of financial assistance to help offset the cost of monthly premiums,” said Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro.

Ready to enroll? Consumers can find more details about the various plans and their related premiums and deductibles, as well as any potential premium subsidies they may be eligible for www.healthcare.gov. Federal application counselors are also available to help with enrollment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling 1-800-318-2596. All of the plans sold on the federal marketplace meet the coverage standards and consumer protections mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

“It is important for consumers to be cautious when shopping for health insurance coverage outside of the Marketplace, especially when looking for plans online,” said Commissioner Navarro. The Department of Insurance’s Consumer Services Division has received numerous complaints from members of the public who thought they had enrolled in an ACA-compliant plan only to learn that they had actually purchased a limited benefit plan. A limited benefit medical plan is not a comprehensive major medical plan, nor is it intended to replace a major medical plan.

After January 31, 2017, you cannot buy a health insurance plan for the rest of 2017 unless you have a qualifying life event—a change in your situation like having a baby, getting married, or losing other health coverage — which makes you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. Once you have enrolled in a plan, check your mail for information from your insurance company. When a welcome packet has arrived or is delivered to your email inbox, be sure to read the information thoroughly and save everything in a secure place.

It is also very important that you pay your premium on time. If you fail to pay your monthly premiums then your insurance company can eventually cancel your policy. If your policy is cancelled due to non-payment you will likely not qualify for any other coverage until January 1, 2018.

“When you are shopping for health insurance coverage it is important to consider more than just the cost of the monthly premium alone,” said Commissioner Navarro. “Before you enroll in a plan make sure you know how much the deductible will be since deductibles on different plans can vary by thousands of dollars. It is also important to see what the plan will require you to contribute for co-pays or co-insurance,” he said. Need help understanding the words and terms used by the health insurance industry? Visit https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/ for simple definitions.

Small businesses can apply for SHOP coverage for their employees any time, all year. Simply click on the Small Business tab at the top of Healthcare.gov to get started.

For more information about health insurance visit www.choosehealthde.com or www.healthcare.gov.

Additional resources are available at insurance.delaware.gov. Consumers in Delaware who have insurance related issues or complaints may also contact the Delaware Department of Insurance Consumer Services Division at 1-800-282-8611.

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Contact: Vince Ryan

Office: (302) 674-7303

Mobile: (302) 387-7670

Vince.Ryan@delaware.gov

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Delaware Department of Insurance

http://www.insurance.delaware.gov

Dover Office: 302-674-7300

Consumer Services Division: 1-800-282-8611

Businesses Can Continue To Purchase Large Group Health Insurance Plans

 Aetna and Highmark Will Offer Transitional Renewal Opportunity

(DOVER, DE) –Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart announced today that Aetna Health, Inc. and Highmark BlueCross BlueShield Delaware will offer businesses employing 51 to 100 workers the opportunity to renew their group health insurance policies at “large group” rates for policy plan years beginning on or before October 1, 2016.  Commissioner Stewart issued a departmental bulletin earlier this year notifying issuers in the large group market about the opportunity provided by the Affordable Care Act.

“The large group renewal offer is welcome news for Delaware businesses of this size who currently purchase insurance in the large group market,” said Stewart. “Beginning January 1, 2016, the ACA will redefine these companies as small businesses, who would then have to shop for a plan in the small group market.  Because of the accommodation I am announcing today, these companies can continue to purchase health coverage from Aetna and Highmark at large group rates until October 1, 2016. The large group market generally offers lower rates.”

For more information, please visit the DOI’s Bulletins page, or go to http://tinyurl.com/kp794gt. See bulletin No. 75, under the “Domestic/Foreign Insurers Bulletins” category.

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For Immediate Release | Contact: Jerry Grant | (302) 674-7303

Delaware Department of Insurance | www.delawareinsurance.gov | 302.674.7300

More news from the Department of Insurance: http://www.delawareinsurance.gov/newsroom.shtml