|
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Nov. 26 published a proposed rule that outlines health insurance exchange standards relating to coverage of essential health benefits, actuarial value, and accreditation. The rule includes a proposed timeline for qualified health plans to be accredited in federally facilitated exchanges. Comments on the proposed rule are due by Dec. 26.
A proposed rule for implementing Affordable Care Act (ACA) policies relating to health insurance premiums, guaranteed availability, guaranteed renewability, risk pools, and catastrophic plans was released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Nov. 26. The proposed rule also clarifies the approach used to enforce ACA requirements for health insurance issuers and group health plans. Comments on the proposed rule are due by Dec. 26.
Also on Nov. 26, a proposed rule addressing incentives for wellness programs in group health plans was released by the Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, CMS, and HHS. The proposed rule increases the maximum permissible reward under a wellness program offered in connection with a group health plan from 20 to 30 percent of the cost of coverage. The proposed rule also increases the maximum permissible reward to 50 percent for wellness programs designed to prevent or reduce tobacco use. Comments on the proposed rule are due by Jan. 25, 2013.
The CMS on Nov. 27 issued a request for information about health care quality management in affordable insurance exchanges under the ACA. Dec. 27 is the deadline for submitting the requested information. | 
