Proposed Rules: SHOP, Premium Tax Credits, & Medicaid Eligibility

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Treasury Department released three proposed rules for the exchanges outlined in the healthcare reform law. The three proposed rules focus on:

• Small employers participating in the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), who will be able to offer employees a choice of health plans and also reduce costs with new tax credits (proposed rule);
• Premium tax credits to help disburse insurance costs for individuals and families (proposed rule); and
• Coordinating the exchange with Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility to make enrollment more seamless (proposed rule).