The Department of Health and Human Services has proposed changes to the rules covering what must be included in the summary of benefits and coverage document for health insurance plans.
The changes are intended to make sure that consumers get clear and accurate information about plan options. "These proposed regulations are designed to improve consumers' access to important plan information so they can make informed choices when shopping for and renewing coverage," HHS explained in a fact sheet.
Among the proposed changes is a requirement that insurance companies disclose on the summary of benefits and coverage whether the qualified health plans offered on state-based insurance marketplaces include or exclude abortion coverage. In the proposed rule HHS says it is making this change as part of its effort to increase transparency for consumers shopping for coverage. CHA supports making it simpler for individuals and families to understand their insurance coverage options, including whether a plan covers abortion or not.
HHS will be accepting comments on the proposed rules through March 2. Once finalized, the new provisions would be effective for insurance coverage that begins on or after Sept. 1.
The proposal is available online: www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-12-30/pdf/2014-30243.pdf.
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