On Friday, CMS released proposed regulations for the Basic Health Program.  Comments are due November 25, 2013 (at least it’s not the Monday after Thanksgiving!). States could implement BHP programs on or after Jan. 1, 2015.

 

This rule proposes:  

• the procedures for certification of a state-submitted Basic Health Program Blueprint, and standards for state administration of the Basic Health Program consistent with that Blueprint; 
• eligibility and enrollment requirements for standard health plan coverage offered through the Basic Health Program; 
• the benefits covered by such standard health plans as well as requirements of the plans; 
• federal funding of certified state Basic Health Programs;
• the purposes for which states can use such federal funding; 
• the parameters for enrollee financial participation; and 
• federal oversight of Basic Health Program funds.  

 

The proposed rule can be found online on the Federal Register’s website here.  We expect it will be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday.

 

CMS’ informational bulletin on the regulation is here.  And the HHS press release is here.