ACA health plans may be too expensive for some

Those with preexisting conditions may not completely benefit from buying plans on the federal and state-run health insurance exchanges, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Some insurers are asking new enrollees to send in their health information to help insurers’ determine their prices for next year, the Journal reported. However, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) people don’t have to provide information about their medical conditions and prescriptions just to buy insurance.

This isn’t the only issue people with preexisting conditions are encountering. Reuters reported certain insurers are also boosting their up-front charges of drugs usually used to treat chronic conditions. According to Reuters, these drugs are often more costly than other medications, and prices may only increase.

“Research shows that spending on specialty drugs is expected to significantly increase,” said Clare Krusing, spokeswoman for America’s Health Insurance Plans, a trade and lobbying group. “Therefore, any discussion of prescription drug coverage must also include a focus on the direct link between rising prescription drug prices and consumer cost sharing.”

However, those with preexisting conditions may still have it better under the ACA than they did previously, as many were unable to even be approved for insurance because of their illnesses.