(WBEN) - Healthcare has become the lynchpin issue in the ongoing federal government shutdown just as millions prepare for the open enrollment period where they will learn what their insurance rates will be for the next year.
It's creating uncertainty in a time of rising prices.
Democrats in Washington are demanding that subsidies associated with the Affordable Care Act are maintained, while Republicans are proposing a temporary funding extension, but no guarantee on healthcare funding. It's giving the marketplace added uncertainty at a time when major insurers have already indicated they are raising rates or dropping coverage.
Just last week, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center announced that it will no longer be in-network for people enrolled in Independent Health's Individual Medicare Advantage plan starting next year.
All of the changes have healthcare consultants telling people to carefully look at their options this year.
"You don't want to go to a doctor and find out you're not covered or a procedure isn't covered," said Healthcare Consultant John Bartimole, a former President of the Western New York Healthcare Association. "This is a good time to find out exactly what is covered."
For many, it's not just about deciding what coverage you want, but if you want coverage in the first place. Insurers have said the price of premiums may go up dramatically because healthier, often younger people are becoming more and more likely to opt out of coverage as it becomes more expensive.
"The problem is, you're healthy today and not healthy tomorrow," Bartimole said. "When Obamacare was created, it was based on the fact that there was 'young invulnerables.' People in their 20s and 30s who pay into Obamacare but not use it all that much because they're young and seemingly invulnerable. That's starting to age out now so I'm not surprised the premiums are going up."
The open enrollment period in New York for Affordable Care Act plans opens November 1, and is set to run until the end of January if it is not extended.