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May 01, 2013 at 09:57 PM
The Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) and other federal agencies have called an alternative medicine provider provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) “self-implementing” and declined to issue regulations explaining it.
CCIIO (pronounced “Sih-Sigh-OH”), the arm of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) responsible for overseeing many HHS PPACA implementation efforts, has posted comments on the alternative medicine provider provision and other PPACA provisions in a new batch of answers to PPACA questions.
HHS developed the answers together with officials at the U.S. Treasury Department and the U.S. Labor Department, CCIIO officials said.
In addition to answering questions about alternative medicine providers, officials answered questions about topics such as the effects of a change in plan year on the annual limit waiver expiration date, coverage for individuals in clinical trials, and transparency reporting.
Officials considered alternative medicine providers in answers to questions about “provider non-discrimination.”
PPACA added a section to the Public Health Service Act, Section 2706(a), that states that an insurer “shall not discriminate with respect to participation under the plan or coverage against any health care provider who is acting within the scope of that provider’s license or certification under applicable state law.”
Alternative medicine groups say Section 2706(a) refers to their members.
The Integrative Healthcare Policy Consortium (IHPC), a group that supports providers and users of acupuncture, homeopathy, acupuncture, therapeutic massage, midwifery and other forms of care other than treatments provided by conventional medical doctors, has said that it is “launching a strategic state-by-state campaign to support the correct implementation of Section 2706.”
