Obamacare to Look Past Unpaid Premiums to Avoid Lapses

[Purveyor]

By Alex Wayne - Dec 12, 2013

Health insurers are being asked by the U.S. government to be lenient with Obamacare customers who miss the Dec. 23 deadline for enrolling in the program or are late with their initial payment.

The Obama administration today encouraged insurers to honor any late sign-ups with retroactive coverage, let people pay only part of their premiums, and honor treatments for patients who go to out-of-network doctors. It’s also considering stretching out even further the already-extended Dec. 23 cutoff to enroll.

The moves are intended to smooth the nation’s transition into an overhauled health-care system next year, as millions of Americans change insurers or gain coverage they’ve never had. The Obama administration earlier today said that an expiring insurance program for sick Americans who’ve been refused coverage by private carriers will be extended for one month.

“The steps we’re taking today will help ensure Americans seeking quality, affordable health coverage can do so with even more peace of mind and with further confidence it will be there if and when they need it,” Kathleen Sebelius, the U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, said on a conference call.

The botched October rollout of the government-run insurance exchange where people are supposed to shop for health coverage has suppressed enrollment in President Barack Obama’s signature domestic policy initiative and stoked political backlash. That’s forced him to stitch together delays and concessions.

MORE...

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-12/obamacare-to-look-past-unpaid-premiums-to-avoid-lapses.html

[Yo_Mama]

1. At some point it becomes fiscally impossible

If the individuals aren't able to pay their share of the premiums, the federal government had better get off its duff and pay its share early in January, or there won't be money to pay the claims!