The Trump Administration issued a final rule on June 19, 2018 expanding association health plans. The rule’s stated aim is to “help Americans struggling to afford health coverage find new, more affordable options.” You can read more about the rule here.
HFA and many other patient advocacy groups think the final rule takes the wrong tack. Association health plans can offer insurance that doesn’t meet important ACA standards, including the scope of benefits covered.
Association health plans have a history of fraud and in the past have left patients on the hook for millions of dollars in medical debt.
Expanding the use of AHPs will draw healthy people out of the risk pool for comprehensive insurance plans, forcing consumers who need good insurance to pay much more for it.The following infographic illustrates some of our concerns:
