CMS releases progress report on Health Insurance Marketplace's implementation, announces proposed improvements.
+ Regulatory
Jamie Barrand | Nov 24, 2015

CMS releases progress report on Health Insurance Marketplace's implementation, announces proposed improvements

Since the launch of the Health Insurance Marketplace, which was mandated several years ago by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have worked continuously to make the health insurance shopping experience smoother and more understandable for consumers.

Recently, the agency announced its proposed annual Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017 to make more improvements.

“As we enter into our third year, the Health Insurance Marketplace continues to grow, with millions of people looking to the Marketplace as their source for quality, affordable health coverage that will be there when they need it," Kevin Counihan, CEO of the Health Insurance Marketplace, said. "We’re off to a good start with tens of thousands more Americans turning to the Marketplace for health coverage every day, and even more returning for another year.”

Changes suggested for 2017 include mandating that states develop their own adequacy standards for health plans in the federal marketplace and give issuers the option of selling plans with standardized options including cost-sharing.

The proposal also includes a requirement for health plans in the Marketplace to count some out-of-pocket expenses on unexpected out-of-network services toward an insured person's yearly maximum out-of-pocket costs when performed without notice and in-network.

Additionally, the CMS proposal covers the role Navigators play in the Marketplace and what their duties should be to give employers in the federal Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) more choices.

Comment is being sought on these and other suggestions in the proposal. To see the proposal in its entirety or to find out how to comment, visit www.cms.gov.

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