White House Sets Up Federal Marketplace Special Enrollment Period

The Biden administration has signed an executive order that sought to strengthen Medicaid and Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage and opened a special enrollment period on the Affordable Care Act’s federal platform, according to a fact sheet released by the White House.

“The Biden-Harris administration will re-open enrollment to the Health Insurance Marketplace, take additional steps to strengthen Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, and protect women’s health,” explained the fact sheet that preceded the executive order.

“As we continue to battle COVID-19, it is even more critical that Americans have meaningful access to affordable care,” the fact sheet explained. “Reliable and affordable access to health insurance doesn’t just benefit families’ health; it is a critical source of economic security and peace of mind for all.”

The executive order aimed to bolster Medicaid and Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage.

In response to the executive order, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will open a special enrollment period on the federal health insurance marketplace platform. The special enrollment period will last from February 15, 2021 through May 15, 2021.

This move will give the uninsured or underinsured individuals more time to enroll on the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Not only will it open up the federally-facilitated marketplace, but this executive order will also allow state-based marketplaces on the federal platform to have a special enrollment period.

“The President will also direct federal agencies to reconsider rules and other policies that limit Americans’ access to health care, and consider actions that will protect and strengthen that access,” said the fact sheet.

More specifically, agencies will review policies that thwart protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions, including the coronavirus.

The executive order directed agencies to review Medicaid and Affordable Care Act waivers and demonstrations that may be impeding either program’s efficacy. The fact sheet specifically named work requirements, which CMS promoted under the Trump Administration but which have produced damaging results in some states.

Agencies were also ordered to reassess policies that may encumber Medicaid or Affordable Care Act marketplace enrollment processes. Many organizations and research entities have stressed the need to dedicate more resources towards streamlining and facilitating enrollment and outreach processes.

Lastly, any policies that could increase the cost of coverage or diminish financial assistance of Medicaid or Affordable Care Act marketplace health plans should be reviewed. The Biden administration has already promised to take steps to expand Affordable Care Act marketplace subsidies, along with COBRA subsidies.

“As part of their reviews, agencies will consider whether to take additional actions to strengthen and protect access to health care,” the fact sheet stated.

This move underscores how the current administration’s healthcare agenda stands in opposition to the Trump administration’s approach.

Whereas the Biden administration has committed to bolster the Affordable Care Act, the Trump administration fought the law in court throughout his time in office and supported short-term limited duration health plans as interim coverage.

The Supreme Court is expected to decide the Affordable Care Act’s fate in June 2021.

Additionally, a separate but simultaneous executive order sought to protect women’s health and reproductive healthcare access. It rescinded the Mexico City Policy which disallowed the US to allocate funds to international non-profits that provide abortion counseling or referrals.

To read the full executive order, see the White House website.