NH to seek waiver for state reinsurance program

The New Hampshire Insurance Department yesterday proposed creating a state-operated reinsurance program to help stabilize the state’s health insurance marketplace. In March, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price invited states to apply for Section 1332 wavier proposals that include high-risk pool/state-operated reinsurance programs. Under Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act, states can apply for a waiver of certain ACA requirements but must demonstrate that the proposed waiver would provide access to quality health care that is at least as comprehensive and affordable as without the waiver, and coverage to at least a comparable number of residents. HHS and the Department of the Treasury last week approved a Section 1332 waiver for Alaska to implement a five-year reinsurance program for its health insurance marketplace.