Another Obamacare setback

Administration delays provision that limits how much Americans have to spend

Published August 13, 2013 12:58PM (EDT)

A federal loophole will enable insurers to set higher limits on healthcare costs until 2015, the New York Times reported Tuesday, noting yet another setback for the implementation of Obamacare. Via the NYT:

The limit on out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles and co-payments, was not supposed to exceed $6,350 for an individual and $12,700 for a family. But under a little-noticed ruling, federal officials have granted a one-year grace period to some insurers, allowing them to set higher limits, or no limit at all on some costs, in 2014.

... [But owing to the delay] a consumer may be required to pay $6,350 for doctors’ services and hospital care, and an additional $6,350 for prescription drugs under a plan administered by a pharmacy benefit manager.


By Natasha Lennard

Natasha Lennard is an assistant news editor at Salon, covering non-electoral politics, general news and rabble-rousing. Follow her on Twitter @natashalennard, email nlennard@salon.com.

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Barack Obama Healthcare Healthcare Reform Limits Obamacare