Important health care reform updates

On Wednesday, March 6, the Department of Health and Human Services released new regulatory guidance that includes the option for states to allow consumers enrolled in non-ACA compliant plans to stay in those plans for another two years if the insurer continues the plan. HAP is currently reviewing the guidance to determine the impact of these policy changes. We expect to receive expedited guidance from The Department of Insurance and Financial Services after they complete their review. We will share updates here as additional details become available.

Some of the other changes announced on March 6 include:

• The open enrollment period for 2015 coverage was extended by one month and will run from November 15, 2014 through February 15, 2015.


• Changes to the ACA’s reinsurance and risk corridor provisions include lowering the cap at which reinsurance kicks in for 2014 from $60,000 to $45,000 in claims per person. The cap will increase to $70,000 in 2015, with a reinsurance cap of $250,000 per person.


• The annual out-of-pocket limit will increase in 2015 to $6,600 for individuals and $13,200 for families.