Administration Defines Benefits That Must Be Offered Under the Health Law

"Insurance companies are rushing to devise health benefit plans that comply with federal standards. This is in response to the "essential health benefits" which were defined on Tuesday by the Obama administration. Starting in October, people can enroll in the new plans, for coverage that begins on Jan. 1, 2014. The rules translate the broad promises of the 2010 law into detailed standards that can be enforced by state and federal officials..." Click here to read more.  [Source: Colorado Rural Health Center]

Colorado’s Essential Health Benefits Benchmark Plan - Webinar

The Governor’s Office, the Division of Insurance and the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange will convene a public webinar on Friday, June 29, from 10 to 11 a.m., to discuss the process of selecting an Essential Health Benefits (EHB) benchmark plan for Colorado.  Colorado will choose an EHB benchmark plan in the coming months that establishes minimum health benefits required for many health insurance plans beginning in 2014.  In addition to answering common questions about the process, the webinar will provide an introductory overview of Colorado’s options for an EHB benchmark plan.  Click here to register for the webinar.

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.