Clarification of “Exceptional Circumstances” SEP for Consumers Impacted by Disasters
An August 20 email from the Health Insurance Marketplace announced: “CMS has released guidance clarifying Federally-facilitated Marketplace (FFM) Special Enrollment Period (SEP) policy for consumers impacted by an emergency or major disaster that is recognized with a formal declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This guidance clarifies that an individual is eligible for an Exceptional Circumstances SEP when that individual and any dependents were eligible for another enrollment period, such as a SEP or Open Enrollment Period (OEP), but were unable to enroll due to being affected by a FEMA-declared emergency or major disaster. This guidance was effective on August 9, 2018. The guidance also clarifies FFM policy around termination of coverage, grace period extensions, and coverage effective dates during special enrollment periods related to emergency and major disaster situations. Please see the guidance here, and share freely within your organization.”
From the CMS Newsroom: CMS Awards $8.6 Million in Funding to States to Help Stabilize Markets
Aug 20 — The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded $8.6 million in funding to 30 states and the District of Columbia to provide State insurance regulators with the opportunity to enhance States’ ability to strengthen their respective health insurance markets through innovative measures that support market reforms and consumer protections under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)….”
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