Health Insurance Exchanges
A key element of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the creation of the Affordable Insurance Exchanges. These state-based, competitive marketplaces, which launch in 2014, will provide millions of Americans and small businesses with “one-stop shopping” for affordable insurance coverage. Because they lack purchasing power and the ability to pool risk, individuals and small businesses too often pay higher insurance rates. The law changes that by providing them with competitive, consumer-centered health insurance marketplaces to compare and buy insurance.
In the Exchanges, Americans will also have access to a wide range of customer assistance tools – including information about prices, quality, and physician and hospital networks. The plans offered in the Exchanges will be required to provide at least a basic level of comprehensive benefits. In addition to state exchanges, states have an option of creating a state-federal partnership. For states who do not wish to set up a state exchange, the government will create a federally-facilitated exchange
The Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) has proposed rules outlining a framework that will enable States to build Affordable Insurance Exchanges. For detailed information about the Exchanges, CLICK HERE
News
November 30, 2012The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) releases a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that outlines OPM’s approach to implementation of the Multi-State Plan Program (MSPP)
On November 30 the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that outlines OPM’s approach to implementation of the Multi-State Plan Program (MSPP). The MSPP was created under the Affordable Care Act, which directs OPM to contract with private health insurance issuers to offer at least two health insurance plans to individuals and small groups on each of the Affordable Insurance Exchanges (Exchanges). These health insurance plans, known as Multi-State Plans (MSPs), will be among several health insurance options from which individuals and small employers will be able to choose.
You may view the MSPP NPRM, RIN: 3206-AM47, at http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2012-29118_PI.pdf until it is officially published in the Federal Register.
Public comment period opens December 5, 2012. Please visit www.regulations.gov to submit comments. After evaluating comments, OPM will publish a final rule.
To learn more about the MSPP, please visit: http://www.opm.gov/insure/mspp/index.asp