Agencies Issue Regulations On Pre-existing Condition Exclusions, Annual & Lifetime Limits, Rescission, & Patient Protections

On June 28, 2010, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury published a new Interim Final Rule addressing several provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). 75 Fed. Reg. 37188 (June 28, 2010). The new Regulation includes requirements related to preexisting condition exclusions, annual and lifetime dollar limits, rescissions, choice of providers, and coverage of emergency services. Comments are due by August 27, 2010. Most of the requirements apply to both insured and self-funded health plans for plan or policy years beginning on or after September 23, 2010 (January 1, 2011 for calendar year plans). Below are links to a summary of the new Interim Final Rule, along with the Federal Register version of the rule.