Stakeholders React to Proposed HIX Rules

"All health plans offering coverage in the new exchanges will be required to meet new quality and performance standards. To enhance competition and preserve consumer choice, all health plans that meet these new standards should be allowed to offer coverage in the exchanges."

The inclusion in exchanges of health plans "currently serving low-income people in Medicaid and CHIP" is important to Margaret Murray, CEO of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans.

The National Community Pharmacists Association, which has an adversarial relationship with pharmacy benefit managers, is happy that the draft rule included language that affirmed the need for PBMs operating in the exchanges to confidentially disclose to the health plan and HHS any information regarding PBM practices. "The disclosure requirements should help health plans in the exchanges achieve a better bargain for patients as wasteful PBM practices are discouraged and more readily identified, " explained Douglas Hoey, RPh and executive vice president and CEO of NCPA.

Efforts to contact the National Governor's Association for a comment were unsuccessful. Nor did the National Association of Insurance Commissioners respond to request for comment. The AMA was preparing its statement on Tuesday afternoon.

Public comments will be accepted for 75 days. The final rules are expected later this year.

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