CCIIO Issues Final Blueprint for Exchange Certification - Aug. 21, 2012

The Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) issued on Aug. 14 the final version of the blueprint for approval of state-based and state partnership affordable insurance exchanges. Provisions in the Affordable Care Act require states to establish health insurance exchanges that allow individuals and small businesses access to affordable health insurance coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2014. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued guidance on health insurance exchanges, including a draft blueprint of the approval process for state-created exchanges and state partnership exchanges with the federal government. HHS also released general guidance on the federally facilitated health exchanges. States have until Nov. 16 to submit an exchange blueprint for approval.