CMS Sends Clear Message to Plans: Stop Hiding Information from Patients
May 17, 2018 - Press release from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) detailing letters sent to companies that provide Medicare prescription coverage in Part D explaining that "gag clauses," or provisions in contracts between insurance plans and pharmacies which prevent pharmacists from telling patients when a prescription drug would be cheaper to pay for out of pocket than through insurance, are unacceptable. This is part of an effort to lower prescription drug costs.
Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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HHS, CMS: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2019; Correction Federal Register
May 11, 2018 - Makes technical corrections to an April 17, 2018 final rule on Federally-facilitated health insurance exchanges and State exchanges on the federal platform. The final rule will go into effect on June 18, 2018.
Source: Federal Register
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CMS: Medicaid/CHIP Program; Medicaid Program and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP); Changes to the Medicaid Eligibility Quality Control and Payment Error Rate Measurement Programs in Response to the Affordable Care Act; Correction Federal Register
May 3, 2018 - Makes technical corrections to the July 5, 2017 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services final rule entitled "Medicaid/CHIP Program; Medicaid Program and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP); Changes to the Medicaid Eligibility Quality Control and Payment Error Rate Measurement Programs in Response to the Affordable Care Act".
Source: Federal Register
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IRS, EBSA, HHS: Clarification of Final Rules for Grandfathered Plans, Preexisting Condition Exclusions, Lifetime and Annual Limits, Rescissions, Dependent Coverage, Appeals, and Patient Protections Under the Affordable Care Act Federal Register
May 3, 2018 - Clarification of a November 18, 2015 final rule entitled "Final Rules for Grandfathered Plans, Preexisting Condition Exclusions, Lifetime and Annual Limits, Rescissions, Dependent Coverage, Appeals, and Patient Protections Under the Affordable Care Act" in response to a complaint from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) filed on August 31, 2017. The clarification is applicable beginning May 3, 2018.
Source: Federal Register
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CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Federal Register
Apr 20, 2018 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is seeking public comment on a revision of a currently approved information collection for coverage of certain preventive services under the Affordable Care Act and related religious and moral exemptions. Comments are due by May 21, 2018.
Source: Federal Register
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HHS, CMS: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2019; Rule Federal Register
Apr 17, 2018 - Notice from the Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of a final rule on Federally-facilitated health insurance exchanges and State exchanges on the federal platform. Includes information on risk adjustment and risk adjustment data validation programs, cost-sharing parameters, user fees, and flexibility to States to apply the definition of essential health benefits to their markets, among other things. The final rule will go into effect on June 18, 2018.
Source: Federal Register
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CMS Issues Final 2019 Payment Notice Rule to Increase Access to Affordable Health Plans for Americans Suffering from High Obamacare Premiums
Apr 9, 2018 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2019, a final rule that is intended to increase state flexibility, improve affordability, strengthen program integrity, empower consumers, promote stability, and reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request Federal Register
Apr 4, 2018 - Notice announcing an extension of a currently approved information collection from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services concerning the State Exchange Blueprint Collection Tool. Previous comments on the tool resulted in modifications to simplify the tool and create separate tools for each type of health insurance exchange. The current revision updated current State Exchange model options, program requirements, and regulatory requirements, among other things. Comments are due by June 4, 2018.
Source: Federal Register
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CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Federal Register
Apr 4, 2018 - Notice announcing that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is accepting comments on Federal Health Insurance Marketplace operations in order to help the Department of Health and Human Services determine compliance with federal standards. Comments are due by May 4, 2018.
Source: Federal Register
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CMS’ Final Report Shows 11.8 Million Consumers Enroll in 2018 Exchange Coverage Nationwide
Apr 3, 2018 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Final Enrollment Report for the 2018 Health Insurance Exchanges. Approximately 11.8 million consumers are enrolled in an Exchange plan in the 50 states and Washington DC.
Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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