U.S. Owes Insurers Millions in Obamacare Cost-Sharing Money

The U.S. government owes health insurers millions of dollars for reducing members’ out-of-pocket costs, despite the lack of a specific Congressional appropriation to cover the expense, a federal court ruled.

The Trump administration’s refusal to make cost-sharing reduction payments violated the Affordable Care Act, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims said Feb. 15. Chief Judge Margaret M. Sweeney granted summary judgment for insurers Community Health Choice Inc., Maine Community Health Options, and Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative in three decisions.

Community Health claimed the government is in arrears to it for over $11.2 million for 2017, and even more for 2018. ...