NEWS & VIEWS

August 1, 2024

ACA Enhanced Subsidies

The enhanced subsidies available for Affordable Care Act plans have been the key to driving enrollment growth, and rolling them back would likely lead to a spike in premium payments, according to a new report.

Enchanced subsidies are currently scheduled to expire at the end of 2025. Insurers, needing clarity for future pricing, will start submitting their bids for 2026 as early as the beginning of 2025, with final rates established by August. This makes early legislative decisions critical to ensure smooth transition and accurate premium setting.

The expiry of these subsidies could lead to drastic increases in premiums, with a projected average rise of 93% across the board, affecting nearly all ACA Marketplace enrollees. 

Teens are Looking for Mental Health Support Online

Studies show that more than half of young people regularly look for mental health information online and use mental health support apps, according to a recent Common Sense report. Depression was the behavioral topic most commonly researched online, and one in three young people turn to YouTube and TikTok as a source for mental health information. Young people have also turned to apps to support their well-being and use them for meditation, journaling, and mindfulness.

Recommendations and Best Practices

for Safe Internet Use

Kids Online Health and Safety Task Force, co-led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), released a new report with recommendations and best practices for safer social media and online platform use for youth.

Locking and Unlocking EBT Cards

SNAP Benefit members can now lock and unlock their EBT card if they have concerns about having benefits stolen. More information about protecting benefits and reporting stolen benefits, as well as directions for locking and unlocking cards (in three languages) can be found on the SNAP Benefit Fraud webpage.

State of Mental Health in America

The National Mental Health America (MHA) recently released its annual report, State of Mental Health in America. Based on 2022 data, Indiana showed significant improvements rising to 24^th in the nation.

• 24.44% of Hoosier adults experienced a mental illness in the past year.
• 19.08% of Hoosier adults had a substance use disorder in the past year. The national average is 17.82%.

One of the barriers to care is access to mental health treatment. In Indiana, over 6% of adults with a mental illness are uninsured.

Unauthorized Marketplace Enrollment Activity

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an update on the actions it is taking to stop unauthorized plan switches on healthcare.gov. CMS received more than 70,000 complaints from consumers who had their existing plan switched to a different plan without their knowledge or consent. 98% of complaints have been resolved. CMS also received over 130,000 complaints that consumers were enrolled without their consent. 97% of these cases have been resolved.

Some of the actions CMS made to combat these fraudulent activities are listed below.

• Between June 21st and July 10^th, CMS suspended 200 agents and brokers.
• CMS now requires a three-way call with the consumer, healthcare.gov call center, and any agents or brokers who are not already associated with the consumer’s account before any changes can be made by that agent or broker. Enrollees can still make changes themselves at any time.
• CMS released an infographic alert in English and Spanish for consumers that explains in plain language what consumers can do to protect themselves.

Stressed About Politics?

A recent National Public Radio (NPR) article discusses the stress and anxiety many Americans feel about politics. In a poll by the American Psychiatric Association, nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents said they are feeling anxious about the election. Another poll by Myriad Genetics found that nearly 40% said they are feeling anxious and/or depressed about the election season, and a similar share said they are "checked out" by the amount of news and social media attention on politics and the upcoming election.

Psychologists say it is normal for people to feel heightened negative emotions during this time, and the article suggests five strategies to manage anxious feelings. 

Playbook to Address Behavioral Health Needs

During Community Reentry

Health care organizations and jails are partnering to address behavioral health outcomes during reentry through evidence-based interventions. These interventions include medications for addiction treatment, case management, referrals to address HRSN, and peer support.

Behavioral health care providers, correctional facilities, policymakers, health plans, and community-based organizations can use this Better Care Playbook Collection to understand evidence-based strategies to address the behavioral health needs of people during reentry and learn about promising implementation strategies.

HHS Awards More than $45 Million to Expand Mental Health and Substance Use Services

On Wednesday, July 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), announced grant awards totaling $45.1 million, of which $15.3 million will fund services specifically for children and youth.

Marketplace Resources

There are a variety of resources to help learn more about the Marketplace and how to assist consumers.

Beyond the Basics provides training and resources on eligibility guidelines and enrollment processes. In the fall, they offer a webinar series and updated materials for the upcoming open enrollment. You can register for alerts or follow this newsletter for their latest offerings.

REGTAP is a centralized information portal for The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). It offers webinars, job aids and other resources. Log in or register for an account here. If you need additional assistance, REGTAP offers a tip sheet.

Additional resources are offered on CMS.gov including the opportunities below.

• Marketplace training information and webinars on the other related topics.
• Assister technical resources provides a wealth of webinars and information for managers and assisters.
• Assister outreach and education provide tools and materials. Of special note are materials in multiple languages and materials for consumers new to the Marketplace and for those already enrolled.
• YouTube channel, CMSHHSgov, features videos not just on Marketplace, but on a variety of topics including sessions from their Health Equity Conference in May.
• Email updates are available through a subscription. You can choose which topics you are interested in. The information provided here about CMS resources was taken from the Transitions in Coverage Assister Monthly Digest because “FFM Assister – Certified Application Counselor (CAC) Updates” was a chosen topic.

Stronger than Sarcopenia

"Stronger than Sarcopenia” (saar-ko-pee-ni-uh) is a multiyear public health education campaign by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office on Women’s Health. Sarcopenia is a condition characterized by muscle and strength loss that is associated with aging. Women, families, health care professionals, and others can explore resources at the site below to learn about sarcopenia prevention and treatment.

To learn more about sarcopenia and the Stronger than Sarcopenia campaign, visit womenshealth.gov/sarcopenia.

Health Care After Incarceration Resource Overview

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of Minority Health and the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs are hosting this webinar to provide an overview of the recently released Returning to the Community: Health Care After Incarceration: A Guide for Health Care Reentry and how communities can help individuals recently released maintain their physical and behavioral health.

This training is on August 7, 2024 at 2 pm EDT. Register here.

Rural Health Care

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health are hosting a webinar to provide information on the Coverage to Care initiative and how to help rural Americans understand and connect to their health insurance to receive the care they need.

This training is on August 8, 2024 at 3 pm EDT. Register here.

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