The Department of Health and Human Services has issued two sets of proposed regulations issued under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that will affect the design, availability and cost of health insurance plans, primarily in the individual and small group markets. Most significantly, HHS has published proposed regulations defining the “essential health benefits” that must be included in insurance plans in these markets. These regulations address cost-sharing limits and the valuation of coverage.
The second set of regulations addresses specific insurance market reforms. All of this guidance generally takes effect in 2014.
