CCIIO Releases New FAQ on Third-party Payments of Premiums for QHPs

The Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) released a new FAQ Nov. 4 regarding third-party payments of premiums for individuals covered by qualified health plans (QHPs) sold through the health insurance marketplaces (exchanges). The FAQ states that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has significant concerns with this practice. According to the FAQ, HHS is concerned that this practice could “skew the insurance risk pool and create an unlevel field in the Marketplaces.” As such, HHS is encouraging issuers to reject premium payments from third parties and noted that the agency will monitor this practice closely. America’s Essential Hospitals continues to work with CCIIO to identify permissible ways to allow patients to keep their coverage even if they have difficulty affording their insurance. Contact Xiaoyi Huang, assistant vice president for policy, at xhuang@essentialhospitals.org or 202-585-0127 for more information.