Dylan Scott is a GOVERNING staff writer.
E-mail: dscott@governing.comTwitter: @dylanlscott
Federal News
HHS Outlines Final Guidance for State Health Insurance Exchanges
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has finalized its guidelines for states to develop their health insurance exchanges created under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and set a Nov. 16 deadline for states to submit their plans.
As previously detailed, HHS is giving states three options: establishing a state-run exchange; participating in a partnership exchange (in which states would oversee plan management and/or customer service); or having a federal-run exchange.
States must submit two components in their application: a declaration letter (stating which exchange model a state plans to pursue) and then a complete exchange blueprint (due Nov. 16). Tuesday's guidance explained that states that submit a declaration letter more than 20 days before the November deadline can request a consultation with HHS to obtain further federal guidance on their exchange blueprint application.
HHS also outlined for the first time how states could transition from one exchange model to another in later years, an option that the department had previously indicated states could pursue. States wishing to alter their exchange model in 2015 would be asked to submit an exchange blueprint by Nov. 18, 2013; for 2016, applications would be due Nov. 18, 2014.
Also as previously stated, HHS said that states can receive conditional approval for their exchange, even if they do not meet all federal requirements, if they demonstrate significant progress toward having an operational exchange ready for Oct. 1, 2013, when exchanges are expected to start enrolling individuals.
HHS also reiterated that federal funding would be available through 2014 for states to develop and establish exchanges. Following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to largely uphold the ACA, the department announced 10 new funding opportunities for exchange funding. So far, 34 states and the District of Columbia have received more than $850 million in exchange establishment grants.
If you enjoyed this post, subscribe for updates.
- Most Viewed
- Comments
-
- HUD Secretary Asks Local Leaders to Lobby for CDBG and HOME
"After losing my job in 2011 i spent a year homeless, living in my car before finding a..." - Obama Energy Program Modeled on 'Race to the Top'
"Yeah, right. Copy a program that spends billions with no measurable results. Makes sense..." - Obama: Marijuana Crackdown Not a "Top Priority"
"http://www.mcpap.com/pdf/Cannibis.pdf http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana..."
- HUD Secretary Asks Local Leaders to Lobby for CDBG and HOME
Latest from Federal News
- Which States Accepted the Most Refugees in 2012?
- Millions of federal dollars flow every year through the states and a network of relief organizations to help refugees find housing, health care and jobs.
- Tapping into Big Data in Government
- Cheaper storage and more powerful analytic tools are making big data an increasingly viable concept for the public sector.
- States in a Race to Secure Drone Testing
- Groups in 37 states are vying to become one of six federally designated sites for testing the remotely piloted crafts for use in the nation's airspace. They see a chance to generate jobs.
- Ruling a Blow to Plan to End Federal Oversight of California Prisons
- A federal judge rejected Gov. Jerry Brown's claim that California has improved its mental healthcare for inmates enough to end 17 years of court oversight.
- Job Skills Gap a Growing Concern in Cities
- Cities coming out of the recession are facing new challenges with matching their workforce to available jobs, a problem that could be an early indicator of a growing national problem.
GOVERNING Data
- Gay Marriage States Map
- Map shows state laws legalizing or prohibiting gay marriage and civil unions.
- 2012 Population Estimates for Metro Areas
- Public Transit Agency Ridership Statistics
- Average Tax Refund by State
- Which Services Are Citizens Most, Least Satisfied With?
- 2013 State of the State Speeches Word Cloud
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
Flickr
RSS
© 2011 e.Republic, Inc. All Rights reserved. |