Becker's Hospital Review

13 2015 YEAR REVIEW in fines a high deductible plan for calendar year 2015 as a plan with an annual deductible of at least $1,300 for self-coverage only or $2,600 for family coverage. In reality, a great deal more companies use high deductibles and deductibles are oen $5,000 plus today. 9. Will narrow networks reduce choice? Certain com- mentators are noting that the development of narrow net- works may be harming poorer consumers the most. See, "How Obamacare Fails the Poor and Middle Class" by Scott W. Atlas. Here he states: "Despite the assertion that the law increases insurance choices, the Obamacare exchanges do quite the opposite for those dependent on them and their government's subsidies. McKinsey reported 68 percent of Obamacare insurance op- tions only cover narrow or very narrow provider networks, double that of the previous year. For cancer care, the majori- ty of America's best hospitals in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network are not covered in most of the states' exchange plans. e "narrow network strategy" is about to hit even more Americans in 2015, as Obamacare exchanges from California to New Hampshire further restrict access to top physicians and hospitals in an attempt to quell insurance premium increases caused by the law itself, according to an analysis by the Los An- geles Times. And a study in late 2014 commissioned by the pres- tigious American Heart Association determined that the spe- cialists essential to diagnose and treat stroke, one of the most disabling and lethal diseases in the United States, are in severe shortage under Obamacare insurance exchanges plans. Indeed, unless one has the financial resources or power to skirt the new system, many of America's top physicians and hospitals are no longer available." 10. Coverage — ability for those not eligible for Med- icaid to obtain coverage. If you have a colleague, friend or family member that is out of work, and/or working but not eli- gible for Medicaid, it seems much easier to get health insurance coverage today under the ACA than it used to be. While the cost of a family plan has gone up significantly and oen comes with high deductibles and sometimes mediocre coverage, fami- lies purchasing coverage through federal or state-run exchang- es can do so at relatively rational rates. However, the affordability of the coverage can be challeng- ing for those not eligible to subsidies. In a Nov. 2 Wall Street Journal article titled "Health Law's Strains Show" by Anna Wil- de Mathews, she reports: "Peter Wainwright, 63 years old, who retired from a tele-communications job, currently has a plan bought on Cal- ifornia's ACA marketplace. He and his wife don't get a subsidy and pay about $2,230 a month, and the rate is increasing for 2016. 'Everything has gone up,' said Mr. Wainwright, of Half Moon Bay, California." e jury is still out on ACA. at said, there are clearly benefits and clearly negatives thus far. n sheridanhealthcare.com | 888.793.1316 OUTSOURCED CLINICAL & MANAGEMENT SERVICES GROW A PROMISING NICU OF TOMORROW, TODAY. ANESTHESIOLOGY | EMERGENCY | NEONATOLOGY | RADIOLOGY Learn how Sheridan helped a hospital partner achieve a Level III NICU rating and a 77% increase in deliveries in the first year at Sheridanhealthcare.com/NICUGrowth

• Cover