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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OLDWICK - OCTOBER 25, 2017 03:02 PM (EDT)
President Trump’s health care executive order and its directive to consider changes to short-term medical policies, association health plans and health reimbursement accounts could impact health insurance carriers according to a new A.M. Best briefing.
The Best’s Briefing, titled, “President Trump’s Executive Order – More Changes Impacting Health Insurers,” states that employer groups, especially small employers, could move to association health plans under expanded use of association health plans, although insurers currently writing these plans would likely see growth in their membership and revenues.
The executive order also called for expanded use of short-term medical insurance and health reimbursement accounts. Short-term medical policies are currently exempt from the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and are limited to three months in duration. A.M. Best believes extending the duration of short-term medical policies would be positive for carriers that are currently selling these products, as the longer-term products could result in increased sales.
A health reimbursement account may result in the individual consumer becoming more involved in his or her health care decisions, which could result in the selection of lower costs and higher quality providers. This could be a positive for health insurers.
A.M. Best will continue to monitor the progress of rules and regulations surrounding the provisions of the executive order, as well as conduct conversations with companies about how they could be impacted.
To access a copy of this briefing, please visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=267346 .
A.M. Best is the world’s oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source.