Search Results for keywords:"Affordable Care Act"

The final rule from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury Department provides new guidelines for implementing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). It includes plans for reducing user fees for issuers using federal platforms in 2022 and introduces a new direct enrollment option allowing states more flexibility in how they facilitate health insurance plans through private entities. Additionally, the rule seeks to ensure that State Innovation Waivers can be more predictable by codifying policies into regulations, offering states more room for innovation while ensuring the availability of affordable health coverage. The rule clarifies that plans without provider networks are exempt from network adequacy certification while maintaining their other requirements.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking public comments on its plan to collect information from the public. This is part of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which requires federal agencies to announce new or extended data collections for public feedback. The call for comments focuses on the necessity and usefulness of the information, the accuracy of burden estimates, and ways to improve data collection efficiency. Comments must be submitted by March 17, 2025, either online or by mail to the addresses provided by CMS.

The Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services have decided to withdraw a proposed rule related to coverage for certain preventive services, including contraceptive services under the Affordable Care Act. This proposed rule aimed to address issues concerning religious objections to contraceptive coverage. They received over 44,000 comments and decided that they need more time to consider these inputs and focus on other priorities before proceeding with any new regulations. The withdrawal does not stop the possibility of proposing similar rules in the future.

The Office of the Federal Register has published a corrective rule concerning the Code of Federal Regulations for the year 2024. This correction involves changes in Title 45, specifically in section 155.420, where certain paragraph designations have been updated. The rule affects parts of the regulations related to the standards under the Affordable Care Act, with the intention to amend previous editorial errors. The corrected rule was filed on February 13, 2025.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is inviting public comments on its plan to collect information, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This process involves a 60-day comment period, allowing people to share their thoughts on the collection methods and its impact, necessity, and utility. The notice outlines information collections related to the Affordable Care Act and the No Surprises Act, and provides details such as the number of respondents and anticipated annual hours required. Comments can be submitted electronically or by mail, and further information can be found on the CMS website.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking public comments on its intention to collect certain information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This information collection concerns the State-based Exchange and Small Business Health Options Program, which are part of the Affordable Care Act. The goal is to gather feedback on their burden estimates, the necessity, and the usefulness of this information collection. Comments are open until January 31, 2025, and can be submitted electronically or by mail.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule detailing changes to regulations associated with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for the year 2026. This rule covers various elements such as payment parameters, risk adjustment programs, and changes to user fee rates for health plans offered through Exchanges. It also introduces modifications to how quality improvement and medical loss ratio reporting are managed, aiming to enhance health equity, reduce health disparities, and minimize the administrative burden on healthcare providers. These updates are part of ongoing efforts to ensure consumers have access to quality and affordable health coverage.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule amending its Uniform Administrative Requirements to realign with statutory nondiscrimination provisions stated by Congress, thus significantly altering previous regulations. This rule focuses on requiring recipients of HHS awards to adhere to applicable federal statutory nondiscrimination laws and ensures compliance with relevant Supreme Court decisions. The action also addresses concerns that previous rules might violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) by causing undue burdens on religious organizations. This change aims to provide clarity and stability for grantees, while planning to avoid issues related to RFRA compliance.

The Department of Labor is submitting a request to the Office of Management and Budget for approval to collect information related to the Affordable Care Act's requirements for health insurance plans to provide a summary of benefits and a uniform glossary. This allows plans to explain their coverage and standardized definitions to participants. Public comments on this information collection request are welcome until May 30, 2025. The collection aims to provide practical utility, ensure accuracy, and minimize the burden on respondents, with an estimated annual time burden of 303,970 hours and annual costs of over $7 million.

The Department of Defense has submitted a proposal to the Office of Management and Budget to gather information related to the TRICARE Young Adult Application. This proposal aims to extend TRICARE coverage for eligible dependents up to the age of 26, aligning with healthcare policies under the Affordable Care Act. The collection of information is voluntary and intended to evaluate the impact on individuals or households opting into the extended TRICARE coverage. Comments on the proposal are open until January 9, 2025.