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Open Enrollment November 1, 2017 ANA Providers FAQs

October 22, 2017

Open Enrollment 2018 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

OVERVIEW

This document includes responses to help you address the most common questions about this year’s Open Enrollment period. We encourage you to use the responses as you speak to specific audiences to help keep them enrolled and informed, and encourage healthcare professionals to remind patients in their care about Open Enrollment.

OPEN ENROLLMENT FAQs

When is this year’s Open Enrollment period and why is it important?

Open Enrollment begins Wednesday, November 1st and ends Friday, December 15th. It is the only period in which consumers are able to visit healthcare.gov and select an insurance plan from the appropriate vendor (either via their state or the federal government) that makes the most sense for themselves and their families.

 What logistical details are most urgent to convey to consumers?

Previous Open Enrollment periods have lasted 90 days; this year’s is only 45 days. Additionally, healthcare.gov – the primary tool for obtaining coverage – will be offline on Sundays during the Open Enrollment period from 12 am-12 pm Eastern Time, except on December 10th, 2017.

Why is it important for nurses and ANA to help promote Open Enrollment?

ANA and nurses are at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all. For decades, ANA has displayed a longstanding commitment to bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on health issues that affect nurses and the public.

What impact will the Trump Administration’s recent actions against the Affordable Care Act have on Open Enrollment?

On Thursday October 12th, the Trump Administration took two actions to destabilize the Affordable Care Act exchanges – one allowing for the purchase of alternative health plans (AHPs) (read more here) and one ending critical cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments (read more here). The action on alternative health plans will not have any impact on this year’s open enrollment period. We are uncertain what impact ending CSRs will have; we do know that these moves will not impact premium tax credit subsidies. The best course of action, based, on what we know, is to still enroll or re-enroll in a health plan during Open Enrollment.

How do I respond to those who believe our involvement in Open Enrollment is influenced by political considerations?

The ANA represents the interests of America’s 3.6 million registered nurses, and as the nation’s most trusted profession and largest group of health care professionals, nurses understand the critical nature of health coverage. Nurses are instrumental in raising awareness and educating their patients, communities, health care colleagues about healthcare coverage. Our efforts to promote Open Enrollment are independent of our ongoing advocacy efforts at the local, state and federal levels.

What will happen if consumers do not sign up for a health insurance plan during the Open Enrollment period?

They will be unable to purchase health insurance coverage on the individual market until the next Open Enrollment period, tentatively scheduled to begin in November 2018 (unless they experience a special qualifying event such as pregnancy or qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program). Being locked out of the individual market for almost a year puts the health of the individual and their family members at risk, and will make it much more difficult to acquire important preventive and other health care services.

What about low-income consumers who are afraid that they will be unable to afford purchase health insurance coverage or health care services?

Individuals with household income between 100% ($12,060 for an individual and $24,600 for a family of 4) to 400% ($48,240 for an individual and $98,400 for a family of 4) of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible for premium tax credits to help pay for monthly premium costs. Some individuals may also be eligible for cost-sharing reduction subsidies to help pay for co-payments and co-insurance. Details can be found on Healthcare.gov.

 

CNA's Key Talking Points For The Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact

October 11, 2017
 
Colorado Nurses Association (CNA) fully supports the immediate enactment of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) to assure consistent, safe, quality, nursing care for all Colorado residents.

  • The Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) was implemented on 7/20/2017 after the 26th state signed the multistate compact agreement.
  • Colorado is a member of the current Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) but has not yet joined the eNLC. Efforts are underway at the Colorado State Legislature to adopt legislation on or before 1/19/2018 to join the eNLC.
  • Registered Nurses who hold a Colorado Multi-State License on or before 7/20/2017 will be grandfathered into the new eNLC (if adopted by 1/19/2018) without having to obtain a federal background check or fingerprinting.
  • Those who obtained a Colorado RN license after 7/20/2017 will need to obtain a federal background check and fingerprinting to be able to obtain a Colorado and multistate license.
  • Many stakeholders including Colorado Nurses Association, Colorado Hospital Association, Centura Health, Kaiser Permanente and many others are supporting this legislation.
  • Colorado Nurses Association is working closely with legislative bill sponsors, Colorado General Assembly, Capitol Success (CNA Lobbyist), DORA, and others to educate, communicate, and collaborate in having this bill signed and immediately enacted into law by the 1/19/2018 deadline.
  • The next Stakeholder meeting will be held November 16, 2017 at the Colorado State Capitol and the Call for Action will follow that meeting. 
For more information please reference https://www.ncsbn.org/compacts.htm. (Click here to print the information on this page.)
 
 

What Have Duke Grad Students Learned About Colorado Health Exchange

October 10, 2017

Next Change Agent Chat: Friday, October 13, 12-12:30pm MT
Featured Change Agent: Duke University
Graduate students from Duke University are using CO APCD data to investigate the effect of Colorado’s health exchange on health care utilization and learn how the variation in exchange premiums across the state are affected by the interaction of market structure, selection, and location.
What have the students discovered so far? 
Is there a correlation between the Health Exchange and utilization?
Join our 30 minute #ChangeAgentChat on Friday, October 13th, 12-12:30pm MT, hosted by CIVHC’s Tamaan Osbourne-Roberts, M.D.Chief Medical Officer
Click here to register. 
Space is limited, so register today!
 

Advocating for Impact: Navigating the Executive Branch and Regulatory Process on Monday, Oct. 16

The Colorado Health Foundation Presents

October 10, 2017

Don't forget to register now the third workshop of our ongoing learning series: Advocating for Impact: Navigating the Executive Branch and Regulatory Process on Monday, Oct. 16. 
 
The workshop will provide details about Colorado's regulatory and rule-making process. Speakers will provide insight into procedures that Colorado state agencies follow when establishing rules and regulations, how regulatory advocacy can advance a nonprofit organizations' mission and tips on how to advocate effectively.
 
Location: Colorado Health Foundation, 1780 Pennsylvania St., Denver, CO 80203
Date: Monday, Oct. 16
Time: 3:30–5 p.m. Workshop
          5–6 p.m. Networking reception
 
 
Presenters for this event:
The workshop will help answer:
  • What are the legal parameters for nonprofit engagement during the regulatory and rule-making process? 
  • What is the process for Colorado state agencies to promulgate rules and regulations? 
  • How can engaging in the regulatory process advance an organization’s mission? 
  • What are effective strategies and tactics for influencing the regulatory and rule-making process? 
Seating is limited, so register now. Registration is open to staff and board members of nonprofit organizations. 
 
Mark your calendar for future workshops in this series including:
  • Wednesday, Nov. 8: Legislative Advocacy and Lobbying 
  • Wednesday, Dec. 6: Legal Advocacy and Strategic Litigation 
Questions? Contact Dustin Moyer, public policy officer, 303-953-3650.
 

DORA Stakeholder Meeting October 19, 2017

October 10, 2017

Greetings from the State Board of Nursing,

We will hold a stakeholder meeting to collect input on proposed changes to Chapter 2 of the Board Rules regarding the process and requirements for nursing education programs.

Stakeholder input is crucial to achieving the Department’s missions of consumer protection and effective licensure and enforcement, without unnecessary impediment to the economic market. Please make yourselves heard by joining us at the upcoming stakeholder meeting.

Draft Rules

Meeting Information

  • Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 1 p.m. (MDT)

Three Ways to Participate

  1. In Person: Civic Center Plaza, 1560 Broadway, Conference Room 1250A, Denver, CO 80202.
  2. By Webinar: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7069196047075188737.
  3. By Written Comment: Please provide written comments in advance or after the meeting. The deadline for receiving comments is 5 p.m., Friday, October 20, 2017. Please email  comments to [email protected].

Meeting Format

Stakeholder input will be limited to discussion of Chapter 2. Attendees may provide comments, concerns, and proposals to the program in writing in advance, in person at the meeting, or following the meeting. Participants will be able to discuss topics brought forward during the meeting. Program staff will moderate the discussion to ensure there is an equal opportunity for all stakeholders to actively participate,and to ensure comments and suggested changes are collected for Board consideration and future rulemaking.

Note: This meeting is not a formal rulemaking hearing.

Jo Donlin

Director of Regulatory Outreach and Education

Director's Office

 
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