When it comes to implementing health reform, the federal government agencies definitely are not taking a summer vacation. Just this week, new rules on communicating health plan information to consumers, health insurance exchanges and premium tax credits have been issued.
Here’s a quick list:
1. Communicating health plan information. The U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Treasury tout that new proposed rules issued today will “enable consumers to easily understand their health coverage and determine the best health insurance options for themselves and their families,” and “will assist employers in finding the best coverage for their business and their employees.” Hmm, most employers are more likely to feel like the feds are just helping to increase their health plan administration workload. Well, at least that new template looks snazzy. But what goes along with it looks foreboding.
2. Premium tax credit. On Aug.12, the IRS issued proposed rules that describe which individuals will be eligible to receive a premium tax credit and how to compute the credit. Generally, the rules note that the tax credit will be available for individuals who are covered in health insurance exchanges and who are ineligible for most minimum essential coverage, like employer-sponsored coverage — and the rules expound more on what that means for employer plans.
3. Exchange eligibility and employer standards. Also on Aug. 12, HHS issued proposed rules explaining the standards and process for enrolling in qualified health plans and health insurance exchanges, and outlining the basic standards for employer participation in the Small Business Health Options Program. It also issued rules relating to Medicaid eligibility; go here for details on those rules.
Separately, we reported recently how rules were issued regarding preventive services for women. And how those legal decisions keep mounting up, just like the reform rules. For the ever-growing complete list of those rules, go here.