Empowering patient voices through voter registration
While roughly 83% of adults in the United States will visit a health care provider in the next year, an estimated
News
10-19-12 Affordable Care Act Update
October 23, 2012
State Update
Thus far about 20 states have submitted a benchmark essential health benefits (EHB) plan to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The majority of remaining states, however, are likely to end up with the default plan (the largest small group plan in the state). Although no formal statement has been made by HHS, the September 30 deadline appears to have been a "soft" deadline, meaning states may still have some flexibility to make a benchmark designation if they prefer an option other than the default.
After the election, we expect HHS to release a multitude of proposed Affordable Care Act regulations, including those for EHB and cost sharing. It is unclear at this time how much discretion states or insurers will have to make changes to the benchmark plan. For example, how and under what circumstances can a state or plan make changes to the benefits within or among the 10 required EHB benefit categories? HHS has suggested that some flexibility will be permitted, but we have to await the regulations to know the process and the degree to which changes can be made.
The attached document outlines comments ACS CAN has assembled following a review of benchmark plan options in 17 states. It captures some of the main issues and benefit gaps we have identified to date.
As always, thank you for all you do every day to support laws and policies that help cancer patients and their families.
Benchmark Plan Document Analysis Guidance.docx
Chris Hansen | President
ACS Cancer Action Network | American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc.