FOUR PUBLIC HEARINGS ANNOUNCED FOR STATE REINSURANCE REGULATIONS

 

BALTIMORE (JULY 16, 2018) – The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE) will hold a series of hearings to receive public comment to shape pending regulations to create a reinsurance program for the individual health insurance market. 

The purpose of the program is to hold down consumer cost and bring greater certainty to Maryland’s individual health insurance market for plan years 2019 through 2023. 

The public hearings will be held:

• July 26, 2-4 p.m., MHBE, 750 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21202
• Aug. 2, 2-4 p.m., MHBE, 750 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21202
• Aug. 9, 1-3 p.m., Maryland Department of  Transportation, 7201 Corporate Center Drive, Hanover, MD 21076
• Aug. 16, 2-4 p.m., MHBE, 750 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21202 

More information is available at MarylandHBE.com 

Gov. Larry Hogan and the Maryland General Assembly approved legislation this past spring to create a reinsurance program for the individual health insurance market beginning in 2019.  If approved by the federal government, the program is expected to reduce premium increases for plans purchased for 2019 in the individual health insurance market both on and off Maryland Health Connection, the state-based marketplace. 

At its meeting today, the MHBE Board of Trustees voted to authorize the agency’s staff to proceed with developing regulations to structure the reinsurance program with analysis from the Maryland Insurance Administration and by Wakely Consulting Group. 

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of the Treasury announced they had accepted Maryland’s application to create a reinsurance program. The federal government is accepting public comment on Maryland’s application through Aug. 4. 

More information on the federal review is available online at cms.gov/CCIIO/Programs-and-Initiatives/State-Innovation-Waivers/Section_1332_State_Innovation_Waivers-.html 

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About the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange: The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, a public corporation and independent unit of state government, administers Maryland Health Connection. Including more than 1 million people enrolled in Medicaid, MHBE enrolls one of every six Marylanders in health coverage. 

About Maryland Health Connection: Maryland Health Connection is the state's official health insurance marketplace for individuals and families to compare and enroll in health insurance. Maryland Health Connection is the only place where Marylanders can access tax credits to make coverage more affordable. People who have lost coverage and meet the criteria for a special enrollment can also enroll throughout the year at MarylandHealthConnection.gov or on the Enroll MHC mobile app.