Implementing Health Reform: Small Business Health Insurance Marketplace

On May 31, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services released a final rule amending its earlier regulations governing the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). The implementing agencies published a spate of proposed rules and amendments in late 2012 and early 2013, and are now beginning to finalize these, including the workplace wellness rule released on May 29 and the SHOP final rule released on May 31. HHS also released simplified forms for employers and employees to use to apply for SHOP coverage. The final rule implements virtually unchanged a proposed rule published on March 11, 2013 The rule amends the general final exchange rules published in March of 2012. The amendments make changes in the earlier SHOP rules as to two issues: the nature of plan choice that will be permitted in the SHOP exchanges for 2014, and the length of time allowed for employees to enroll in SHOP coverage if they become eligible for special enrollment periods. The original vision of the SHOP exchange was that the SHOP would afford employees of small employers access to plan choice, much like that permitted in the individual exchange. An employer might pick a metal level of coverage (bronze, silver, gold, or platinum), but the employee would be able to choose an insurer and qualified health plan offered within that level. The SHOP would aggregate premiums for the various insurers and QHPs and present the employer with a single bill. SHOP exchanges could also offer other ...
Source: Health Affairs Blog - Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Authors: Tags: All Categories Employer-Sponsored Insurance Health Reform States Source Type: blogs