Health Insurance Exchange Regulation Due Out July 7

 
The Obama administration plans to release its proposed regulation on state health insurance exchanges July 7.
The rules governing the establishment of the exchanges, which under the health care overhaul law begin operating in 2014, are much anticipated by state lawmakers, insurers, employers and consumers. Under the law, states have until Jan. 1, 2013 to show Health and Human Services Department officials that they have a viable exchange in the works that can be operational by Jan. 1, 2014.
States hope the proposed rule will say when they have to meet certain benchmarks in developing the exchanges. Consumer advocates will look to see how independent of insurer control the exchanges will be. Insurance companies, on the other hand, will be watching to see what rules they will have to operate under, especially regarding issues such as risk adjustment and what qualifies as a health plan that can be sold in the new marketplaces.
John Reichard can be reached at jreichard@cq.com