One ofBCBS's recommendations is to allow greater flexibility forhigh-deductible health care plans, which are currently onlypermitted to cover the full cost of preventative servicespre-deductible. (Photo: Shutterstock)

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is urging Congress toboost the Affordable Care Act marketplace, bothby increasing subsidies for individual health plans and putting inplace a reinsurance program to protect participating healthplans.

For starters, according to a report the group has prepared,Congress should revise the existing tax credits to lower premiums forthose purchasing individual or family health plans through the ACAexchange. Currently, those up to 400 percent of the federal povertylevel are eligible for tax credits. The report proposes that theybe reconfigured so that no customer spend more than 12 percent oftheir income on health care.

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Similarly, the report proposes increasing subsidies to helplow-income customers reduce what they pay on deductibles andcopays. It states that the government should cover 80 percent oftotal costs for those with incomes between 200-300 percent of theFPL.

“We believe everyone should have access to coverage and care, nomatter who you are or where you live,” said Scott Serota, BCBS president and CEO. “Theindividual market is a critical source of coverage for people fromall walks of life, and it should be strengthened to make coveragemore affordable while protecting those with pre-existingconditions.”

Congress should also intervene to address the high costsassociated with the patients with the greatest health care issues.Currently, 5 percent of the patient population accounts for almost60 percent of health care claims. The report proposes the federalgovernment set up a premium support program targeting those whoseannual claims exceed $65,000.

The report recommends that the ACA be changed to allow greaterflexibility for high-deductible health care plans, which arecurrently only permitted to cover the full cost of preventativeservices pre-deductible.

“Congress should permit HSA-qualified health plans to cover highvalue services before the deductible. For example, a health plancould provide coverage of insulin before the deductible to ensurepatients with diabetes have access to this live-saving drug,” saysthe report.

In addition to improving the options for those who are enrolled,the report urges the federal government to do more to boostenrollment. Millions of people who are uninsured are unaware aboutthe availability of affordable health plans through the ACAmarketplace. The Trump administration has made steep cuts to ACAmarketing.

Read more:

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• CMS releases 2020 draft ACA marketrules
• Lack of funding drives new tactics for Obamacarenavigators