AMA updates stance on high deductibles, covering uninsured

Expanding health insurance coverage to uninsured Americans and improving the design of high-deductible health plans are initiatives that the American Medical Association supports, the organization’s house of delegates said.

Advertisement

The AMA’s position on these issues was updated during a special meeting of its delegates Nov. 17.

For covering uninsured Americans, the AMA said it supports auto-enrollment for individuals who are eligible for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and zero-premium ACA marketplace coverage. The AMA said it recognizes that a public option, which is part of President-elect Joe Biden’s healthcare plan, could provide patients with more choice, but “should not be seen as a panacea to cover the uninsured” or replace private insurance.

The AMA also said employers, payers and providers should address the growing financial and clinical barriers associated with high-deductible health plans. The delegates encouraged employers to talk with employees about their benefit needs and help enrollees spread high out-of-pocket costs across a plan year.

More articles on payers:
Court sides with UnitedHealth in mental health denial case
How much insurers paid in MLR rebates this year, by state
CVS names new president for Aetna

Advertisement

Next Up in Uncategorized

  • Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, the largest health system in the country, is seeking finance chiefs at four of its hospitals. …

  • As more complex, higher-acuity surgeries continue to shift from inpatient hospitals to lower-cost outpatient settings, a growing number of health…

Advertisement

Comments are closed.