Commenting today on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed notice of benefit and payment parameters for 2020, the AHA said it remains committed to ensuring that consumers have access to comprehensive coverage through the health insurance marketplaces. “Comprehensive coverage is critical to patient access to care,” AHA wrote. “We are pleased that the agency did not propose to make immediate policy changes in a number of areas that could reduce consumers’ access to coverage, including changes in policy regarding auto-reenrollment and ‘silver-loading,’ but instead chose to seek comment on potential future actions. We also appreciate the agency’s interest in increased transparency in consumers’ health coverage as the AHA shares in this important goal. CMS has substantial authority to improve and conduct more rigorous oversight of both provider networks and directories to facilitate consumer shopping and avoid surprise medical bills resulting from unanticipated gaps in coverage. However, we are concerned that several of the provisions could result in a loss of coverage or the erosion of key consumer protections.”

Related News Articles

Headline
The Department of Health and Human Services May 20 announced it has identified specific pricing targets for pharmaceutical manufacturers to meet to satisfy…
Perspective
Public
Three key House committees — Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Agriculture — after long debates and discussions this week advanced their portions of a…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services May 12 released draft guidance for the third round of negotiations for the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation…
Headline
Zaira Khalid, M.D., senior staff geriatric psychiatrist at Henry Ford Behavioral Health Hospital, discusses the unique physical, emotional and social needs of…
Headline
The White House May 12 released an executive order to reduce prescription drug costs by allowing consumers to make direct purchases from drug manufacturers at…
Perspective
Public
After a week’s delay to try to build consensus among Republicans — due in large part to concerns we have been raising about Medicaid cuts —  the House…