On November 20, the Obama administration announced it is moving forward with certain provisions in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including banning insurance companies from discriminating against people with preexisting conditions. The administration issued the following:
- A proposed rule that, beginning in 2014, prohibits health insurance companies from discriminating against individuals because of a preexisting or chronic condition. Under the rule, insurance companies would be allowed to vary premiums within limits based only on age, tobacco use, family size, and geography. Health insurance companies would be prohibited from denying coverage to a person because of a preexisting condition or from charging higher premiums to certain enrollees because of their current or past health problems, gender, occupation, and small employer size or industry.
- A proposed rule outlining policies and standards for coverage of essential health benefits while giving states more flexibility to implement the ACA. Essential health benefits are a core set of benefits that would give consumers a consistent way to compare health plans in the individual and small-group markets. A companion letter on the flexibility in implementing the essential health benefits in Medicaid also was sent to states.
- A proposed rule implementing and expanding employment-based wellness programs to promote health and help control healthcare spending.
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