HCR Update: New HCR Fact Sheets, Student Health Plans

Mar 11, 2011

March 4, 2011

New fact sheets outline health care reform and provider relationships

As we continue to implement the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (or health care reform law), we are often asked about how reform will affect our provider networks and the providers we do business with.

Based on the information we currently have from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, we do not expect health care reform to have a significant impact on our provider and hospital contracting strategy.

Any significant impact of reform is likely to come from those provisions that may affect providers' day-to-day business with us. We're committed to keeping our providers informed to ensure smooth transitions throughout health care reform implementation.

For more details and talking points, refer to this fact sheet.

HHS issues proposed regulations for student health plans

In early February, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released proposed regulations establishing rules for student health insurance coverage under the health care reform law.

In the proposed regulations, HHS defines "student health insurance coverage" as a type of individual health insurance coverage for purposes of implementing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (or health care reform law). HHS proposes that all health care reform provisions that apply to individual health insurance coverage should apply to student health plans in the same way, with two exceptions - preventive care and lifetime limits.

For other key issues, HHS is requesting comments. Public Policy will be working with subject matter experts to ensure our comments on this regulation are submitted to HHS.

To account for the latest guidance, we have updated this fact sheet.

Now you have a single, reliable resource for health care reform information.

anthem.com/ca/healthcarereform

This content is provided solely for informational purposes: It is not intended as and does not constitute legal advice. The information contained herein should not be relied upon or used as a substitute for consultation with legal, accounting, tax and/or other professional advisers.