The departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury on Aug. 17 proposed standards for health plans disclosing a summary of their benefits and coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and a proposed template and instructions for disclosing the information. All health plans would provide a summary of benefits and coverage, along with a uniform glossary of terms, to shoppers and enrollees on request and before they buy coverage.
They also must give enrollees at least 60 days notice of any significant change in their plan or coverage during the plan or policy year. To help consumers compare plans, the summary would include “coverage examples” showing the proportion of care expenses covered for having a baby, treating breast cancer, and managing diabetes.
The proposed rule and template will be published in the Aug. 22 Federal Register, with comments accepted for 60 days. A proposed rule establishing minimum essential benefits for health plans under the ACA is not expected to be published any time soon.
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