Market Stabilization Final Rule
September 1, 2017
HHS issued a market stabilization final rule under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The final rule includes new reforms intended to help lower premiums, stabilize the individual and small group health insurance markets and increase choices for the 2018 plan year. Specifically, the rule includes a variety of policy and operational changes to existing standards to stabilize the Exchanges, including changes to the annual open enrollment period and special enrollment periods.
This legislative brief provides additional information on this rule for groups in the small group market. The rule does not directly affect plans in the large group market. Instead, it aims to stabilize the individual and small group health insurance markets in light of pending changes that may be made to the ACA. The changes made under the final rule are effective for the 2018 plan year.
