The Act’s requirement that insurers to everyone, including those with 
serious pre-existing medical expenses, has not resulted in a surge - claims.
The federal agency that reinsures commercial insurers against claims between $45,000 and $250,000 said that the number such claims was lower than expected. As a result, it will cover 100% the claims, rather than the 80% it could have paid if expenses had exceeded projections.
The Centers for & Services (CMS) said its reinsurance and a companion risk adjustment , aimed at keeping stable and , are working well.
“While they sound highly technical, reinsurance and risk adjustment are important milestones in a well-functioning and that is able to cover all Americans without regard to their status,” said Acting CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt.
Prior to the passage the , most states allowed companies to deny to people with pre-existing medical conditions. The guaranteed to these people, and included stabilization programs to protect insurers against the unknown costs covering -risk individuals along with healthy, low-risk customers.
The reinsurance protects against - claims from consumers in the market (that is, not through their .) The risk adjustment reduces the incentive for companies to seek to insure only healthy individuals.
“The early results for the risk adjustment and reinsurance stabilization programs demonstrate that these programs are working as intended,” said Kevin Counihan, CEO the Marketplaces. This will “help keep premiums stable and encourage companies to compete quality and price, not who can attract the healthiest enrollees,” he added.
The CMS released a report detailing the total estimated reinsurance payments. It also includes an early assessment that shows the risk adjustment program is working as intended by compensating issuers who enrolled higher risk individuals.