America’s Essential Hospitals expressed concerns about proposed changes that could harm the integrity of qualified health plan networks.

The proposed rule aims to provide flexibility by targeting network adequacy reviews & inclusion of essential community providers in qualified health plans.

CMS finalized a proposal to continue the current methodology, which qualified health plans use to satisfy the minimum essential community provider standard.

America's Essential Hospitals expressed continued concerns about qualified health plan network adequacy in federally facilitated marketplaces.

The letter provides operational and technical guidance to issuers of qualified health plans through the federal health insurance marketplace for 2018.

Hospitals eligible for the essential community providers list are participants in the 340B and DSH programs, critical access hospitals, and others.

Comments on the proposed Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2018 are due by Oct. 6.

HHS finalizes 2017 Notice of Payment and Benefit Parameters rule and letter to issuers offering qualified health plans on the federally facilitated marketplace.

Comments urge CCIIO to require that ACA marketplace plans include willing essential community provider (ECP) hospitals and ensure payment rates support access to care.

Dec. 23 letter provides operational, technical guidance to qualified health plans (QHPs) and outlines network adequacy standards for plans offered through the federally facilitated health insurance marketplace.

Model law would update requirements for insurance carriers in the health insurance marketplaces, particularly regarding provider directories, mental health services, telehealth, and nondiscrimination.

The association submitted comments to CCIIO and NAIC calling for more robust standards for including ECPs in health insurance marketplaces.

America's Essential Hospitals urged HHS to improve ECP standards in the marketplaces to ensure patients have access to quality, affordable health care.

CMS, NAIC documents contain important health insurance marketplace provisions, including cost-sharing requirements. Comments due to CMS Dec. 22, to NAIC by Jan. 12, 2015.

The association submitted comments to the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury regarding their request for information on provider nondiscrimination.

The association said that CMS should implement the QRS in a way that protects consumer access to ECPs in the marketplaces. It also urged CMS to ensure the measures used in the QRS are endorsed by the National Quality Forum and risk adjusted for socioeconomic factors.

Association members explained what makes an essential hospital and the key issues facing essential hospitals to their policymakers on the Hill. The event also included reflections from senior Capitol Hill and administration staff and two award ceremonies that recognized members of Congress and congressional staff for their commitment to essential hospitals.