health insurance marketplace
On June 28, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed new rules that would primarily impact individual health plans that are sold through Health Insurance Marketplaces. The proposed rules aim to lengthen the annual enrollment period, expand Navigator duties, and minimize any burden or confusion for consumers. A summary of some of the key provisions has been outlined below:
On March 11, 2021, President Joseph Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). ARPA is the third stimulus package signed into law in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under ARPA, two significant provisions were included that will help more Americans obtain and pay for health insurance coverage.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced earlier this month that plans sold on the Health Insurance Marketplace (Marketplace) will receive quality ratings using a five-star system (with 5 stars representing the highest quality plan).
Most employers will be required to provide a written notification to employees in regards to the ability to access coverage through the new Health Insurance Marketplaces, also known as the exchanges. Even employers that don't provide coverage to their employees will be required to provide this written notification.
The Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) published guidance on May 1, 2013 about the role of insurance producers in the Health Insurance Marketplaces, also referred to as the public exchanges.
The guidance suggests that insurance producers will play a valuable role in facilitating public exchange enrollments starting this October.