Health insurance plans and business groups expressed their concerns with the CMS proposed “Transparency in Coverage” rule, which would require insurers to post negotiated rates. As
covered in a previous Valued Voice article, CMS proposed the rule at the same time it finalized a similar rule requiring hospitals to post many of the same requirements. With the comment period closing last week, several groups voiced their opposition to requiring these new mandates on insurers.
In their
comment letter, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), a national insurance lobbying group, voiced concerns the rule would not advance key consumer goals, but was overly prescriptive and unnecessarily broad. Echoing concerns WHA and other provider groups expressed about the proposed rule for hospitals, AHIP described the mandates in this proposed rule as excessively burdensome and questioned whether CMS is overstepping its legal authority.
Business groups also joined in expressing concern. The Business Group on Health, which represents large employers and the American Benefits Council, both sent comment letters noting the significant burden the proposal could have on employers if finalized in its current form.
For more information, contact WHA Director of Federal & State Relations
Jon Hoelter.