Today, the Obama administration announced it is moving forward with certain provisions in the healthcare reform law, including banning insurance companies from discriminating against people with preexisting conditions.
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A proposed rule that, beginning in 2014, prohibits health insurance companies from discriminating against individuals because of a preexisting or chronic condition. Under the rule, insurance companies would be allowed to vary premiums within limits, only based on age, tobacco use, family size, and geography.
Health insurance companies would be prohibited from denying coverage to a person because of a preexisting condition or from charging higher premiums to certain enrollees because of their current or past health problems, gender, occupation, and small employer size or industry.
A proposed rule outlining policies and standards for coverage of essential health benefits, while giving states more flexibility to implement the ACA.
Essential health benefits are a core set of benefits that would give consumers a consistent way to compare health plans in the individual and small group markets.
A companion letter on the flexibility in implementing the essential health benefits in Medicaid was also sent to states.
- A proposed rule implementing and expanding employment-based wellness programs to promote health and help control health care spending.
BLR legal editors are reviewing the proposed rules and will have more details soon.