State-based Affordable Care Act (ACA) public exchange programs and managers of HealthCare.gov appear to be playing a game of COVID-19 special enrollment period chicken.
The administration of President Donald Trump has decided against creating a COVID-19 special enrollment period for HealthCare.gov. Trump said Friday, at a White House press conference, that the government will pay cash directly to hospitals, rather than spending extra to help uninsured people sign up for health coverage through HeatlhCare.gov.
(Related: Pressure For National COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period Builds)
Meanwhile, managers of some state-based ACA public exchange programs are expanding existing COVID-19 special enrollment periods.
Connect for Health Colorado has pushed its COVID-19 special enrollment period to April 30, from April 3.
The Connecticut ACA public exchange program, Access Health CT, has extended its COVID-19 special enrollment period to April 17, from April 2.
Your Health Idaho is the only state-based exchange that has not created a COVID-19 special enrollment period.
Idaho insurance regulators have argued that a special enrollment period is unnecessary in Idaho because two insurers offer “enhanced short-term medical insurance” on a guaranteed-issue basis year-round in Idaho..