PPACA: HHS Starts to Set Up Exchange System

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has unveiled a request for comments on ideas for designing the health insurance exchange system required by the Affordable Care Act.

Officials at the Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (OCIIO), a new arm of HHS, are asking for ideas about topics such as setting standards for the health plans qualified to participate in the exchange system, factors that might increase the number of plans that participate in an exchange, and how information about health insurance ought to be conveyed to consumers.

“What kinds of information are likely to be most useful to consumers as they determine whether to enroll in an exchange and which plans to select (within or outside of an exchange)?” OCIIO officials ask. “What are some best practices in conveying information to consumers relating to health insurance, plan comparisons, and eligibility for premium tax credits, or eligibility for other public health insurance programs (e.g., Medicaid)? What types of efforts could be taken to reach individuals from diverse cultural origins and those with low literacy, disabilities, and limited English proficiency?”

OCIIO officials developed the exchange system request for comments to begin implementation of Title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), a component of the Affordable Care Act package.

The request for comments is set to appear in the Federal Register

Aug. 3. Comments will be due Oct. 4.