Capitol Roundup: 2019 ACA health insurance will feature rate decreases, more choices

Oct. 21--WILKES-BARRE -- Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman this week announced the approval of 2019 individual and small group health insurance rates under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), highlighting rate decreases as well as increased choices for many Pennsylvania consumers.

The final approved rates for the individual market will result in an aggregate statewide decrease of 2.3 percent, while the small group market final rates will result in an aggregate statewide increase of 2.6 percent. The health insurers that currently sell in Pennsylvania's individual market will all stay in the market and a new carrier has entered.

Many consumers will have increased choices. People in 30 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties will see more insurers offering coverage in the individual market next year, and, in addition to a new entrant into the market, four of the five insurers already in the exchange market expanded their coverage compared to last year. Further, the number of counties with just one insurer offering coverage on the exchange will decrease to 10.

"These rates reflect my administration's efforts to stabilize the health insurance market and afford Pennsylvania consumers the access to health care they deserve," said Gov. Tom Wolf in a press release. "Despite the Trump Administration's numerous efforts to undermine the ACA and discourage consumers from signing up, including cutting the open enrollment period in half, decimating funding for marketing the ACA to the public and funding for navigators, the Insurance Department has brought consumers choice and is working tirelessly to achieve affordability. At just 5.5 percent, Pennsylvania's uninsured rate is at an all-time low. More than a million Pennsylvanians have gained access to health care coverage available to them only because of the ACA and my decision to expand access to the Medicaid program."

Open enrollment for 2019 Affordable Care Act health insurance runs Nov. 1 to Dec. 15. Consumers must sign up by Dec. 15 to have coverage effective Jan. 1, 2019. On-exchange plans can be purchased at Healthcare.gov.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has created a resource page on its website -- www.insurance.pa.gov -- that includes a link to Healthcare.gov; local resources for assistance with enrollment; brochures and videos about health insurance; and a Consumers' Checkbook that provides information on coverage options available during open enrollment.

Pennsylvanians encouraged to

request absentee ballots early

Acting Secretary of State Robert Torres this week encouraged Pennsylvanians to submit requests for absentee ballots before the Oct. 30 deadline.

Under the state election code, applications for absentee ballots must be submitted no later than one week before Election Day. For this year's Nov. 6 general election, the deadline falls Tuesday, Oct. 30. Absentee voters must return their voted ballot to their county election office by Friday, Nov. 2.

Absentee ballots must be received in county elections offices by 5 p.m. on the Friday before the election. A timely postmark is not sufficient.

Absentee ballots may be cast by deployed members of the military, Pennsylvania students attending out-of-state colleges or universities, individuals with illnesses or disabilities, and individuals who will be away from their municipality on business on Election Day. Comprehensive information about absentee ballots, including a downloadable request form (PDF), can be found at the Department of State's website, votesPA.com.

Applicants will be asked to supply basic voter registration information and to specify a reason for applying to vote absentee.

Pennsylvanians applying for an absentee ballot must provide their driver's license or PennDOT ID number. If they do not have a driver's license or PennDOT ID, they must give the last four digits of their Social Security number. If a voter has neither, they must present a copy of an acceptable photo ID. A list of approved alternative types of identification is available at votesPA.com.

Once an absentee ballot has been completed, a voter may return it by mail or deliver it in person to county election offices.

An absentee voter can designate an agent to deliver the absentee application and ballot if he or she is physically unable to do so. Certification of Designated Agent forms are also available online.

For additional information, call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit votesPA.com.

PennDOT, police partner

for Teen Driver Safety Week

Calling attention to teen driver safety and recognizing automobile crashes as a leading cause of death among teens, state agencies, teen drivers and parents are sharing important safety messages during the nationwide observance of Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct. 21-27.

To enhance safety efforts, PennDOT, Pennsylvania State Police, and the state Department of Education -- along with teens and parents -- will join in presenting teen driver safety information through social media posts and Facebook Live segments throughout the week.

"Making our highways safer is the responsibility of all drivers and we all need to work together to help new drivers gain valuable experience and knowledge to meet this goal," said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards. "Social media offer us a platform to reach a wide range of audiences with important safety messages."

PennDOT data shows that from 2013 to 2017, there were 86,374 crashes involving at least one 16- to 19-year-old driver in Pennsylvania, resulting in 547 fatalities. Nearly 69 percent of those crashes involved the teen driver driving too fast for conditions (30,984 crashes), driver inexperience (9,543), driver distraction (14,646), or improper/careless turning (13,342). There was a total of 59,972 crashes involving one or more of these teen driver factors.

The risk of a crash involving any of these factors can be reduced through practice, limiting the number of passengers riding with a teen driver, obeying all rules of the road and using common sense.

As a part of their obligation to help their children become responsible and safe drivers, parents should:

--Have regular conversations with your teen about safe driving skills, even before they get their learner's permit.

--Establish a parent/teen driving contract.

--Strongly encourage your teen to avoid distractions behind the wheel, such as talking or texting on the cell phone.

--Limit the number of passengers your teen may have in their vehicle.

--Limit dawn, dusk and nighttime driving until your teen gains more experience, and enforce a curfew. Remember, state law prohibits 16- and 17-year-olds with a junior license from driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

--Gradually increase the amount of time/distance your teen is allowed to drive.

--Enforce observance of speed limits and other rules of the road.

--Ride with your teen occasionally after they receive their license to monitor driving skills.

--Set a good example with your own driving habits.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.

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