Insurance Exchange Final Rule Nears Publication

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services expects soon to publish a final rule implementing certain requirements for state insurance exchanges mandated under the Affordable Care Act.

The rule has been sent to the Office of Management and Budget for review, one of the last steps before publication.

“This rule finalizes guidelines for the transitional risk-sharing programs, reinsurance and risk corridors, as well as for the risk adjustment program that will continue beyond the first three years of Exchange operations,” according to a CMS explanation. “The purpose of these programs is to protect health insurance issuers from the negative effects of adverse selection and to protect consumers from increases in premiums due to uncertainty for insurers.”