HHS Releases Proposed Health Insurance Exchange Rule - July 12, 2011

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on July 11 released a proposed rule to implement health insurance exchanges as set forth in the Affordable Care Act. The proposed rule aims to give states guidance on establishing exchanges and the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), performing basic functions and certifying health plans for participation. In a companion proposed rule, HHS also established standards for reinsurance, risk corridors and risk adjustment to help ensure premium stability for Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) approved by the exchanges. NAPH submitted feedback to HHS in October 2010 as it was developing the proposed exchange rule, focusing on a number of issues of particular importance to safety net providers. NAPH will be reviewing the proposed rule in more detail in the coming days and will provide fuller analysis soon. Comments on the proposed rule will be due 75 days after its publication in the Federal Register, which is set for July 15.