CMS Regulations
CMS (finally) finalized a rule that will make it easier for CMS to approve breakthrough technology devices for Medicare coverage. CMS estimates that the rule will increase the number of national coverage determinations and expects to accept about 5 a year, there were no estimates on the effect of the rule change on overall program costs.
ACA Premiums
KFF analysis of proposed 2025 ACA individual market rates showed an average increase of about 7% with most premium changes falling between 2% and 10%. Increases in cost (trend), due to higher hospital costs and specialty drugs were the cited as reasons for the increase.
Uninsured Rate
CDC Survey data showed that the uninsured rate increased during the first quarter of the year to 8.2%. This would represent an increase of about 1.6 million people to the number of uninsured. Medicaid redetermination and unemployment changes are the likely reasons for the increase.
Economy
Stocks were rattled this week due to concerns about the economy slowing down. This is because of the unemployment rate increases in recent months (it’s currently up to 4.3%). While there are no signs recession is imminent, the slower economy could mean lower interest rates.
