Health Insurers, Advocates Clash Over Proposed Obamacare Updates

Insurers and consumer advocates are facing off over a Department of Health and Human Services proposal to extend the Affordable Care Act’s annual enrollment period and allow year-round sign-ups for those with low incomes.

In public comment letters on the proposed update (RIN 0938–AU60) of Obamacare benefits and payment parameters, major marketplace insurers like Anthem, Centene Corp., and UnitedHealthcare, all opposed a plan to lengthen the federal open enrollment period from 45 days to 75 days.

The longer enrollment would allow people who “were automatically re-enrolled into a plan to reevaluate their options after receiving updated plan ...