Individual market: enrollment periods.
The modifications enacted by AB 156 will have substantial implications for individuals looking to enroll in health benefit plans. By expanding the enrollment windows, the bill aims to enhance access to health insurance, ensuring that individuals are not confined to a narrow timeframe to make critical insurance decisions. This aligns with broader efforts supported by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to improve health care coverage among Californians, particularly in response to changes in personal circumstances that traditionally would have restricted access to health benefits.
Assembly Bill No. 156 amends portions of the California Health and Safety Code and Insurance Code to redefine the annual open enrollment periods for individual health benefit plans. The bill establishes separate enrollment timelines for plans offered through the California Health Benefit Exchange as well as those offered outside of the Exchange. Specifically, it stipulates that the open enrollment for plans starting on or after January 1, 2019, will take place from November 1 to December 15 for Exchange plans, and from October 15 to January 15 for non-Exchange plans. Furthermore, the bill introduces special enrollment periods to allow more flexibility for individuals to secure health insurance coverage during certain times, responding to both regular and unforeseen changes in individual circumstances.
The overall sentiment regarding AB 156 reflects a positive view among supporters who argue that the longer enrollment periods and the inclusion of special enrollment provisions will provide necessary flexibility for California residents. Proponents highlight the bill's potential to increase health care accessibility, particularly during transitional periods in individuals' lives. Nonetheless, there are concerns raised by some critics about the operational feasibility of these expanded periods and potential implications for insurance companies regarding the management of enrollment flows and premium stability in light of the new regulations.
While the bill received widespread support, noted points of contention include worries from some stakeholders about the administrative and financial burdens it may impose on health insurers. Critics question whether the expanded enrollment periods could lead to adverse selections that might result in higher premiums for consumers. Additionally, there are apprehensions about how well the California Health Benefit Exchange can manage the increased complexity of the enrollment process while simultaneously providing the required consumer education to facilitate these changes.