The federal government will dole out $22 million for state insurance regulators to ensure health insurers are complying with the Affordable Care Act’s consumer protections, according to an announcement by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
A major end goal of the funding is to make sure states have proper tools to ensure payers aren’t proposing high premium increases for consumers. It is insurer rate request season, after all, and the threat of premium hikes are making some consumers nervous--particularly those who don't get government subsidies.
States can use funds to cover the enforcement of consumer protections under the ACA--such as basic benefits, prevention services, mental health and substance abuse benefits, according to the announcement.
The $22 million is part of the $250 million in state rate review funds the ACA previously set aside to make sure insurers aren’t taking advantage of consumers by unreasonably increasing premiums.
Kevin Counihan, CEO of Healthcare.gov, reiterates in the statement that this continued funding for state regulators helps keep consumer premiums in check, as proposed double-digit hikes for 2016’s premiums were curbed by federal grants.
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