The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published final regulations on March 12, 2014 to establish the Basic Health Program (BHP) under the Affordable Care Act. These regulations include eligibility and enrollment requirements for standard health plan coverage offered through the BHP, minimum benefits covered by such plans and federal funding available to states participating in the BHP. These regulations are effective on January 1, 2015. CMS also published a final methodology to determine the federal payments states may receive should they elect to participate in the BHP in 2015.
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HHS Releases 2015 Benefit and Payment Parameters
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published on March 11, 2014 the final rule on benefit and payment parameters for 2015. This rule includes oversight provisions related to the risk adjustment, reinsurance, and risk corridors programs as well as cost-sharing parameters and cost-sharing reductions.
In this rule, HHS finalized its provision that any self-insured group health plan that does not use a third party administrator for claims processing, adjudication, or plan enrollment for the 2015 and 2016 benefit years is excluded from making reinsurance contributions.
Cost-sharing limits for calendar year 2015 will be increased from $6,350 to $6,600 for self-only coverage. The limits for all other coverage will be increased from $12,700 to $13,200 for 2015.
These regulations are effective on May 12, 2014.