The departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury today issued a proposed rule that would allow consumers to buy short-term health plans of up to 364-days duration, eliminating the current less-than-three-months limit on short-term plans. Short-term, limited-duration plans are not required to comply with federal requirements for individual health insurance coverage, such as essential health benefit standards. “Today’s proposed rule is a step in the wrong direction for patients and health care providers because it would allow insurers to sell products that do not constitute true ‘insurance,’” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “These products would appear cheaper to consumers, but would do so at a significant cost: by covering fewer benefits and ensuring fewer patient protections, such as coverage of pre-existing medical conditions. In addition, the expansion of these types of plans could undermine the individual market by concentrating the risk of less healthy individuals in those markets, driving up the cost of comprehensive coverage. Many vulnerable individuals who rely on the marketplaces for comprehensive coverage could be left without affordable options.”

Related News Articles

Perspective
Public
As the Senate eyes a vote next week on its reconciliation bill, the next few days are crucial for reaching out to your senators and urging them to make changes…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services June 13 announced it approved state plan amendments to expand Medicaid access to care for tribal communities…
Headline
The departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury have certified two more independent dispute resolution entities, bringing the total…
Perspective
Public
The fate of the Trump administration’s legislative centerpiece — the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — continues to be the focal point in Washington, D.C.After the…
Headline
The Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said June 3 they are rescinding 2022 CMS guidance with the subject…
Headline
The Government Accountability Office May 29 released a report recommending the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services target behavioral health services…