The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed a new rule to automatically renew customers' current Marketplace health plans.
The proposed rule would take effect in 2015 and applies to individual and small group exchange plans. The process of auto-enrollment would align with the widely used market practice of automatically re-enrolling customers in existing plans every year with updated premiums and benefits, according to HHS's announcement.
Under the proposed rule, most people who are enrolled in Marketplace coverage in the individual market, even subsidized coverage, will not have to fill out a new application or go back through Healthcare.gov in 2015. Agent and broker NPN numbers will be passed through with the re-enrollment.
How Will Auto-Enrollment Work?
Under the proposed rule, consumers in the Federally-facilitated Marketplace will receive notices from the Marketplace informing them how to update their information to get a tailored and updated tax credit that keeps up with any income changes. Consumers will receive information from their health insurance company about the premium and plan.
According to HHS, while the proposed re-enrollment process would be automatic, consumers would be urged to re-evaluate their coverage benefits and needs during the next open enrollment period.
State-run Marketplaces may follow the federal government's lead, or they can propose alternatives to streamline enrollment based on the needs of their residents.
The proposed rule is slated for publication in the Federal Register on July 1. Public comments on the proposed changes are due no later than 30 days after the publication date.
What do you think of the proposed rule for auto-enrollment?
Image: HealthCare.gov
