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Federal policymakers should mandate insurers to waive cost-sharing for all COVID-19 hospitalizations to avoid large bills for patients, according to a study released May 30 by authors associated with the University of Michigan Medical School and Boston University.
Few COVID-19 hospitalizations in the study had out-of-pocket spending for facility services, suggesting that most inpatient care was covered by insurers through cost-sharing waivers, the report said. However, many hospitalizations had out-of-pocket spending for professional and/or ancillary services, such as bills from physicians or ambulance services
Seven in 10 privately insured patients and half of Medicare Advantage patients had out-of-pocket spending for hospitalizations, suggesting that insurer cost-sharing waivers do not cover all inpatient care.
Nevada s plan to launch a public option health plan hinges on participation from the state s Medicaid managed care organizations.
After passing both houses of the legislature, Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak told reporters Tuesday he will sign the bill that will likely crown Nevada as the second state to pass a public option a government-run plan that promises to lower premiums and increase access to care by creating an additional insurance option for residents.
To achieve its aims, Nevada s public option plan requires premiums to be 5% lower than the benchmark silver Affordable Care Act plan in each ZIP code and, ultimately, premiums must be reduced by 15% over a four-year period. At the same time, reimbursement to providers must not go below Medicare rates.