Essential Health Benefits Stakeholder Meeting - January 18

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently issued a bulletin which outlines the proposed regulatory approach to establish the essential health benefits package (EHBP) which will be required for health benefit plans offered in the individual and small group markets. The purpose of the bulletin is to allow stakeholders to review and comment. Comments on the proposed process are due to HHS by January 31, 2012.

The Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI) and the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange (COHBE) have partnered to host a stakeholder meeting on January 18th to collect public comment.

This meeting is the first of many steps to address the development of an EHBP for Colorado, and it will not be the only opportunity for stakeholder input. This meeting will focus exclusively on the question of the process of creating a Colorado EHBP, and will not discuss the content of the EHBP, including individual benefits, benefit levels, and cost-sharing structures.

Individuals and organizations wishing to share input with the DOI and COHBE regarding the bulletin are encouraged to do so in writing any time before close of business on January 19, 2012. Stakeholder input may be sent to jo.donlin@dora.state.co.us. Please limit your input to questions related to developing Colorado's
EHBP and exclude considerations regarding EHBP content.

Meeting Logistics

• Date: January 18, 2012
• Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm MDT
• Location: COPIC, Mile High Room, 7351 E. Lowry Blvd., Denver, 80230
• Call-In: 1-888-330-9939 PIN# 632148#

All updates and information will be posted at www.colorado.gov/healthreform, www.dora.state.co.us/insurance, and www.getcoveredco.org. The original bulletin may be found at http://cciio.cms.gov/resources/files/Files2/12162011/essential_health_benefits_bulletin.pdf.