Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Issues Section 1332 State Innovation Waiver ChecklistnChecklist Aims to Help Stabilize State Health Insurance Markets for 2018nnThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released new information to help states seek waivers from requirements in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The new tool is intended to help states complete waiver applications that allow them to establish high-risk pools/ state-operated reinsurance programs. Section 1332 waivers, generally can be used by states to opt-out of some mandated provisions under ACA.nnCMS is helping to provide guidance to states who want to pursue solutions to help lower costs and increase coverage choices for Americans struggling with unaffordable premiums and reduced competition in the insurance market, brought on by the ACA. Individuals obtaining coverage in the ACA marketplace have faced double-digit premium increases and insurance issuer exits.nnNationally, premiums on Healthcare.gov have increased by an average of 25 percent for 2017. The state of Arizona saw insurance costs go up more than 100 percent and one-third of counties in the U.S. currently only have one insurer participating in the exchange. Two insurance carriers in Iowa recently announced they were exiting the market, leaving Iowans in jeopardy of having no insurers participating in the exchange in 2018.nn“Today’s guidance addresses the ACA’s impact in driving up insurance costs and reducing choices,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. “State initiated waivers that implement high-risk pool/ state-operated reinsurance programs will help lower premiums, stabilize the health insurance exchange, and meet the unique needs of each state.”n
