TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 02, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Association of American Physicians and Surgeon applauds the Trump Administration’s decision on August 1 to finalize expanded flexibility for short term, limited duration (STLDI) insurance plans.
Under the new rules announced by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), short-term plans can remain in effect for up to 36 months and once again include an option for guaranteed renewal, reversing a prohibition on this consumer protection instituted by the Obama Administration.
“Access to improved short-term plans will not only offer another welcome escape hatch from the financial harm caused by soaring ObamaCare costs, but also can free patients from ACA-controlled plans that too often provide only the illusion of coverage while greatly limiting patient choice of doctor and improperly interfering in the patient-physician relationship,” stated AAPS.
How much less financial pain will short-term plans inflict? CMS reports: “The average monthly premium for an individual in the fourth quarter of 2016 for a short-term, limited-duration policy was approximately $124, compared with $393 for an unsubsidized individual market plan.” And thanks to renewal guarantees Michael Cannon of the Cato Institute estimates that “consumers could purchase health-insurance protection for 90% less than the cost of the average ObamaCare plan.”
In addition to the cost savings achieved by excising Affordable Care Act overregulation, STDLI options offer Americans the ability to purchase plans that respect their individual beliefs. “Trump’s new insurance rule effectively enables people to opt out of Obamacare’s abortion and contraception mandates. A win for conscience,” stated Dean Clancy, President of HSAs for All.
To bolster patient choice further, AAPS is calling for the Trump Administration to reverse another Obama Administration decision that blocks patients from using Health Savings Accounts for Direct Primary Care agreements. DPC practices provide lower cost, personal care from independent doctors outside of insurance company control.
“STLDI expansion is tool that can help expand the availability of individualized options and is a welcome step in the right direction. We are hopeful the Trump Administration will continue to use the full authority granted by law to free patients from past policy failures and push Congress to do the same,” concludes AAPS.
The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) is a national organization representing physicians in all specialties, founded in 1943.
Association of American Physicians and Surgeons
1601 N. Tucson Blvd. Suite 9
Tucson, AZ 85716
(800) 635-1196
www.aapsonline.org
Contact: Jane M. Orient, M.D., (520) 323-3110, janeorientmd@gmail.com