Kristin Leighty, Government Affairs Coordinator, NAHU Legislative Update August 10, 2011 Kristin Leighty, Government Affairs Coordinator, NAHU
NAHU Government Affairs team Laurel Call, Sr. Vice President and Counsel – Regions 6 & 8 lcall@nahu.org 703.276.3801 Jessica Waltman, Sr. VP of Government Affairs – Region 2 jwaltman@nahu.org 703.276.3817 Pam Mitroff, Director of State Affairs – Illinois, West Virginia, Regions 4 & 7 pmitroff@nahu.org 703.276.3839 Brooke Bell, Director of State Affairs – Region 1, 3 & 5 bbell@nahu.org 703.276.3818 Kristin Leighty, Government Affairs Coordinator kleighty@nahu.org 703.276.3803
MLR and H.R. 1206 Co-sponsor total sits at 113! Keep the pressure on while members of Congress are in their home districts! Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) Sends Letter to HHS Letter highlights MLR’s negative impact on agents and brokers and includes a direct ask to delay the inclusion of agent compensation in the MLR calculation Signifies a huge step highlighting the increasing awareness of this issue in the Senate NCOIL votes unanimously to endorse 1206! Looking ahead…
Status of MLR State Waivers HHS Recently Approves Two More State MLR Waivers Iowa and Kentucky join the ranks of approved states North Dakota Becomes First State to be Denied Waiver Territory of Guam receives denial letter as well Texas and Michigan Become Next States to Apply TX asks for graduated increase of 71% in 2011, 74% in 2012, 77% in 2013 and 80% in 2014 MI asks for 65% in 2011, 70% in 2012, 75% in 2013 and 80% in 2014 Scoreboard: Approved: ME, NH, KY, NV, IA Denied: ND Pending Applications: DE, FL, GA, IN, KS, LA, TX and MI
Exchange Developments Exchange Guidance Finally Released! July 11 the highly anticipated proposed regulations were released NAHU Staff and Exchange Working Group continues to analyze the regulations NAHU has prepared a chart highlighting provisions impacting agents/brokers Proposed rules will undergo a 75 day comment period Other Pending State Exchange Action While legislatures are out of session many governing boards and exploratory committees continue to meet and make progress on state exchange action NAHU state affairs staff continues to work closely with states to steer them in the right direction Kansas returns early innovator exchange grant funds to HHS Scoreboard: Signed-13 (CA, CO, CT, HI, IL, MD, ND, NV, OR, VA, VT, WA, WV On Hold-9 (DC, ME, MN, NE, NC, NH, NY, PA, TX) Dead/Vetoed-11 (AK, AZ, AR, IN, MO, MT, NE, NM, OK, RI, SC) Work Arounds-8 (AL, GA, IN, IA, KS, MS, OH, WI) Joel Ario (HHS) stepping down
PCIP’s Broker Registration Process Opened Federal Pre-existing Condition Ins Plan (PCIP) has now finalized its online registration process for agents/brokers In May, the administration announced it would begin compensating agents and brokers for connecting eligible people with the PCIP program by October 1 Registration of qualified agents/brokers is now open and a $100 flat enrollment fee will be paid in conjunction with successful enrollment of individuals effective September 1. To qualify for participation you must: Be an insurance agent or broker in good standing in your state. Your license must be confirmed through the NIPR database. Submit a completed W-9 form. Hold a valid federal tax identification number (FTIN) or social security number (SSN). Submit a completed EFT form for electronic payment. Agree to accept payments via EFT. PCIP broker referral program only applies to 23 states where the federal Gov runs the PPACA high risk pool program
HHS Could Assume External Review Process HHS issued its preliminary list of states not meeting the external appeals review requirement of PPACA 23 states already have laws on the books that meet the strict standards 10 states have similar standards that insurance companies will have to abide by until they bring their standards up to par by Jan. 1, 2014. Appeals process for the rest of the states and five territories will be assumed by HHS or contract with an independent review organization. States not in compliance include: AL, AK, DC, FL, GA, LA, MA, MS, MT, NE, NH, ND, OH, PA, TX, WV, WI All states have until Oct. 1 to appeal their HHS determination
Other News… HHS Issues Rules on Preventive Care for Women Proposed Rule Released Regarding Health Insurance Cooperatives (CO-OP Plans) Coalition Activity ACO Working Group
Next Legislative Update: THANK YOU!! Next Legislative Update: September 14 at 1:00PM EST