The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services April 2 released its final rule for qualified health plans offered through the health insurance marketplaces for 2025. Beginning in plan year 2025, CMS will require plans participating in state-based marketplaces to comply with time and distance network adequacy standards that are at least as stringent as those for the federally facilitated marketplace. CMS also finalized several other changes to standardize and streamline operations, particularly for state-based marketplaces. In addition, CMS finalized policies intended to make it easier to enroll in coverage and improve access to services such as dental benefits and prescription drugs.

In January, AHA voiced support for the agency’s proposals to strengthen network adequacy standards, standardize and streamline marketplace operations, ease the enrollment process and improve access to certain health care services in the proposed rule

Headline
Average out-of-pocket premiums for Health Insurance Marketplace enrollees increased $65 per month in 2026 compared to 2025, going from $113 to $178, according…
Headline
The Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare March 18 launched a new ad highlighting harmful practices by large corporate health insurers that drive up…
Headline
America’s hospitals and health systems are deeply committed to providing high-quality, accessible and affordable care, AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack March…
Perspective
Public
A hospital patient from the 1990s would likely marvel at the pace of progress in health care just a generation later. America’s hospitals and health systems…
Headline
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health Feb. 11 hosted a hearing titled “Lowering Health Care Costs for All Americans: An Examination of the…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Feb. 9 released its 2027 proposed standards for the health insurance marketplaces, including the issuers and…