2018 Better Association Health Plans

Oct 17, 2017 (99): Government regulations limit healthcare choice & competition. The following areas have been prioritized by POTUS Trump for improvement in near term: (1) association health plans (AHPs) (2) short-term, limited-duration insurance (STLDI) (3) health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs).

June 19, 2018 (98): U.S. Department of Labor expanded access to affordable health coverage options for America's small businesses and their employees through Association Health Plans. An Association Health Plans work by allowing small businesses, including self-employed workers, to band together by geography or industry to obtain healthcare coverage as if they were a single large employer. For the first time, working owners without other employees (including sole-proprietors) and their families will be permitted to join AHPs, creating a new path for these hardworking Americans to access affordable, quality health coverage.

Association Health Plans (98): will also strengthen negotiating power with providers from larger risk pools and greater economies of scale. Frequently Asked Questions. How do Association Health Plans work?

(1) Association Health Plans (AHPs), under the Department of Labor's rule, are group health plans that employer groups and associations offer to provide health coverage for employees.

(2) AHPs allow small employers to band together to purchase the types of coverage that are available to large employers, which can be less expensive and better tailored to the needs of their employees.The rule allows more employer groups and associations to form AHPs, based on common geography or industry.

(3) AHPs can/could offer coverage to some or all employers in a state, city, county, or a multi-state metro area, or it could offer coverage to businesses in a trade or industry group nationwide.

AHPs Are Subject to Consumer Protections (98): The rule includes important safeguards. Consumer protections and healthcare anti-discrimination protections apply to large businesses and will also apply to AHPs organized under this rule. AHPs may not charge higher premiums or deny coverage to people because of pre-existing conditions, or cancel coverage because an employee becomes ill.

AHPs Cannot Cherry Pick (98): plan participants or discriminate based on health factors. The AHPs cannot cherry pick or discriminate based on health or prior conditions. The rule includes important safeguards. Consumer protections and healthcare anti-discrimination protections apply to large businesses and will also apply to AHPs organized under this rule.

AHPs Cannot Vary Premiums Based on Health Factors (98): AHPs will not be able to charge different premiums to employees based on their health status. Additionally, AHPs under this rule will not be able to charge employers different rates based on the health status of their employees. The rule includes important safeguards. Consumer protections and healthcare anti-discrimination protections apply to large businesses and will also apply to AHPs organized under this rule.

Self-Employed (98): Rule expands coverage options for the self-employed. Self-employed individuals who employ other individuals have always been able to join an AHP. Under the rule, self-employed individuals with no other employees can also join an AHP, along with their families. States still have regulatory oversight of AHPs under the final rule. The final rule does not diminish state oversight, which remains in place. States will share enforcement authority with the federal government.

Rule Does Not Impact Existing AHPs (98): The new rule does not affect previously existing AHPs, which were allowed under prior guidance. Such plans can continue to operate as before, or elect to follow the new requirements if they want to expand within a geographic area, regardless of industry, or to cover the self-employed. New plans can also form and elect to follow either the old guidance or the new rules.

Note 1 (98): Association Health Plans. Government is expanding affordable health coverage options for America’s small businesses and their employees. Many U.S. laws make healthcare coverage more expensive for small businesses than large companies. Association Health Plans are about more choice, more access, and more coverage.

(99) Oct 12, 2017: Presidential Executive Order Promoting Healthcare Choice and Competition Across the United States: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-executive-order-promoting-healthcare-choice-competition-across-united-states/

(98) Jun 19, 2018, Association Health Plans: https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/association-health-plans