Obamacare Marketplaces Must Accept Prepaid Debit Cards

According to its Final Regulations released just before the Labor Day holiday weekend, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is requiring insurance companies participating in the Obamacare Marketplaces to accept prepaid debit cards.

Insurers also are being required to accept cashier's checks, money orders, paper checks and bank-account transfers, but not cash since most transactions will be accomplished online.

The regulations are designed to make it easier for those without checking accounts to purchase health insurance. About 27 percent of the uninsured are believed to lack checking accounts.

The marketplaces are set to begin operating Oct. 1.