Del. officials: Trump short-term health care policy could lead to higher premiums

DOVER, Del. (AP) - Delaware officials say a health care insurance option being expanded by the Trump administration could lead to higher premiums under the Affordable Care Act.

Meanwhile, officials have adopted emergency regulations outlining minimum consumer protection and notification standards for short-term, limited duration insurance plans.

Officials warn that such plans are exempt from ACA's minimum coverage standards, don't have to cover pre-existing conditions, and may carry significant out-of-pocket expenses. They also worry that increased sales of those plans to younger people will draw thousands of healthy consumers out of Delaware's ACA marketplace risk pool, leading to an unhealthy risk mix and higher premiums.

The federal government says short-term plans can last up to 364 days and be renewed for up to 36 months, but Delaware is limiting coverage periods to three months.