Strategic Planning & Timelines

On June 28, the Departments of the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services issued the final rules on the ACA requirements that health plans cover contraceptives for women with no cost-sharing. For employees of religious non-profits, insurers and third-party administrators will be required to provide contraceptives to employees. The final rule also provides further clarification on exemption of houses of worship from this requirement.

With changes to Medicaid eligibility going into effect in January 2014, CMS has issued a letter detailing five targeted enrollment strategies that can help states with the transition to their new eligibility and enrollment systems. 

CMS released a set of streamlined applications for individuals and families seeking health coverage. These applications will help individuals and families determine whether they qualify for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, plans offered on the exchange, and tax credits to help cover the costs of premiums. 

HHS released the timeline for the Federal Basic Health Plan, laying out the steps for its launch in 2015. According to the timeline, the Federal Basic Health Plan will begin enrollment in October 2014 and begin operations in January 2015.

HHS has published a non-exhaustive database of essential community health providers (ECPs) as outlined in its letter to issuers on federally facilitated and state partnership exchanges. This database is intended to help qualified health plan issuers comply with the ECP requirements of the ACA.