Empowering Patients First Act of 2013

To provide for incentives to encourage health insurance coverage, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Empowering Patients First Act of 2013 (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Repeal of PPACA and health care-related HCERA provisions. Sec. 3. No mandate of guaranteed issue or community rating. Title I—Tax Incentives for Maintaining Health Insurance Coverage Sec. 101. Refundable tax credit for health insurance costs of low-income individuals. Sec. 102. Advance payment of credit as premium payment for qualified health insurance. Sec. 103. Election of tax credit instead of alternative government or group plan benefits. Sec. 104. Deduction for qualified health insurance costs of individuals. Sec. 105. Limitation on abortion funding. Sec. 106. No government discrimination against certain health care entities. Sec. 107. Equal employer contribution rule to promote choice. Sec. 108. Limitations on State restrictions on employer auto-enrollment. Sec. 109. Credit for small employers adopting auto-enrollment and defined contribution options. Sec. 110. HSA modifications and clarifications. Title II—Health Insurance Pooling Mechanisms for Individuals Subtitle A—Federal Grants for State Insurance Expenditures Sec. 201. Federal grants for State insurance expenditures. Subtitle B—Health Care Access and Availability Sec. 211. Expansion of access and choice through individual and small employer membership associations (IMAs). Subtitle C—Small Business Health Fairness Sec. 221. Short title. Sec. 222. Rules governing association health plans. Sec. 223. Clarification of treatment of single employer arrangements. Sec. 224. Enforcement provisions relating to association health plans. Sec. 225. Cooperation between Federal and State authorities. Sec. 226. Effective date and transitional and other rules. Title III—Interstate Market for Health Insurance Sec. 301. Cooperative governing of individual health insurance coverage. Title IV—Safety Net Reforms Sec. 401. Requiring outreach and coverage before expansion of eligibility. Sec. 402. Easing administrative barriers to State cooperation with employer-sponsored insurance coverage. Sec. 403. Improving beneficiary choice in SCHIP. Title V—Lawsuit Abuse Reforms Sec. 501. Change in burden of proof based on compliance with best practice guidelines. Sec. 502. State grants to create administrative health care tribunals. Sec. 503. Authorization of payment of future damages to claimants in health care lawsuits. Sec. 504. Definitions. Sec. 505. Effect on other laws. Sec. 506. Applicability; effective date. Title VI—Wellness and Prevention Sec. 601. Providing financial incentives for treatment compliance. Title VII—Transparency and Insurance Reform Measures Sec. 701. Receipt and response to requests for claim information. Title VIII—Quality Sec. 801. Prohibition on certain uses of data obtained from comparative effectiveness research or from patient-centered outcomes research; accounting for personalized medicine and differences in patient treatment response. Sec. 802. Establishment of performance-based quality measures. Title IX—State Transparency Plan Portal Sec. 901. Providing information on health coverage options and health care providers. Title X—Patient Freedom of Choice Sec. 1001. Guaranteeing freedom of choice and contracting for patients under Medicare. Sec. 1002. Preemption of State laws limiting charges for eligible professional services. Sec. 1003. Health care provider licensure cannot be conditioned on participation in a health plan. Sec. 1004. Bad debt deduction for doctors to partially offset the cost of providing uncompensated care required to be provided under amendments made by the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. Sec. 1005. Right of contract with health care providers. Title XI—Incentives to reduce physician shortages Subtitle A—Federally Supported Student Loan Funds for Medical Students Sec. 1101. Federally supported student loan funds for medical students. Subtitle B—Loan Forgiveness for Primary Care Providers Sec. 1111. Loan forgiveness for primary care providers. Title XII—Quality Health Care Coalition Sec. 1201. Quality Health Care Coalition. Title XIII—Offsets Subtitle A—Discretionary spending limits Sec. 1301. Discretionary spending limits. Subtitle B—Savings from health care efficiencies Sec. 1311. Medicare DSH report and payment adjustments in response to coverage expansion. Sec. 1312. Reduction in Medicaid DSH. Subtitle C—Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Sec. 1321. Provide adequate funding to HHS OIG and HCFAC. Sec. 1322. Improved enforcement of the Medicare secondary payor provisions. Sec. 1323. Strengthen Medicare provider enrollment standards and safeguards. Sec. 1324. Tracking banned providers across State lines. 2. Repeal of PPACA and health care-related HCERA provisions (a) PPACA Effective as of the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( Public Law 111–148 (b) Health Care-Related Provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 Effective as of the enactment of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 ( Public Law 111–152 3. No mandate of guaranteed issue or community rating Nothing in this Act shall be construed to provide a mandate for guaranteed issue or community rating in the private insurance market. I Tax Incentives for Maintaining Health Insurance Coverage 101. Refundable tax credit for health insurance costs of low-income individuals (a) In general Subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 36B. Health insurance costs of low-income individuals (a) In general In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by subtitle A the aggregate amount paid by the taxpayer for coverage of the taxpayer and the taxpayer’s qualifying family members under qualified health insurance for eligible coverage months beginning in the taxable year. (b) Limitations (1) In general The amount allowable as a credit under subsection (a) for the taxable year shall not exceed the lesser of— (A) the sum of the monthly limitations for months during such taxable year that the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s qualifying family members is an eligible individual, and (B) the aggregate premiums paid by the taxpayer for the taxable year for coverage described in subsection (a). (2) Monthly limitation The monthly limitation for any month is the credit percentage of 1/12 (A) $2,000 for coverage of the taxpayer ($4,000 in the case of a joint return for coverage of the taxpayer and the taxpayer’s spouse), and (B) $500 for coverage of each dependent of the taxpayer. (3) Credit percentage (A) In general For purposes of this section, the term credit percentage (B) Threshold amount For purposes of this paragraph, the term threshold amount (4) Only 2 dependents taken into account Not more than 2 dependents of the taxpayer may be taken into account under paragraphs (2)(C) and (3)(B). (5) Inflation adjustment In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2013, each dollar amount contained in paragraph (2) shall be increased by an amount equal to— (A) such dollar amount, multiplied by (B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting calendar year 2012 calendar year 1992 Any increase determined under the preceding sentence shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $50. (c) Eligible coverage month For purposes of this section, the term eligible coverage month (1) is covered by qualified health insurance, (2) does not have other specified coverage, and (3) is not imprisoned under Federal, State, or local authority. (d) Qualifying family member For purposes of this section, the term qualifying family member (1) in the case of a joint return, the taxpayer’s spouse, and (2) any dependent of the taxpayer. (e) Qualified health insurance For purposes of this section, the term qualified health insurance (f) Other specified coverage For purposes of this section, an individual has other specified coverage for any month if, as of the first day of such month— (1) Coverage under Medicare, Medicaid, or SCHIP Such individual— (A) is entitled to benefits under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act or is enrolled under part B of such title, or (B) is enrolled in the program under title XIX or XXI of such Act (other than under section 1928 of such Act). (2) Certain other coverage Such individual— (A) is enrolled in a health benefits plan under chapter 89 (B) is entitled to receive benefits under chapter 55 (C) is entitled to receive benefits under chapter 17 (D) is enrolled in a group health plan (within the meaning of section 5000(b)(1)) which is subsidized by the employer, or (E) is a member of a health care sharing ministry. (3) Health care sharing ministry For purposes of this subsection, the term health care sharing ministry (A) which is described in section 501(c)(3) and is exempt from taxation under section 501(a), (B) members of which share a common set of ethical or religious beliefs and share medical expenses among members in accordance with those beliefs and without regard to the State in which a member resides or is employed, (C) members of which retain membership even after they develop a medical condition, (D) which (or a predecessor of which) has been in existence at all times since December 31, 1999, and medical expenses of its members have been shared continuously and without interruption since at least December 31, 1999, and (E) which conducts an annual audit which is performed by an independent certified public accounting firm in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and which is made available to the public upon request. (g) Special rules (1) Coordination with advance payments of credit; recapture of excess advance payments With respect to any taxable year— (A) the amount which would (but for this subsection) be allowed as a credit to the taxpayer under subsection (a) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the aggregate amount paid on behalf of such taxpayer under section 7529 for months beginning in such taxable year, and (B) the tax imposed by section 1 for such taxable year shall be increased by the excess (if any) of— (i) the aggregate amount paid on behalf of such taxpayer under section 7529 for months beginning in such taxable year, over (ii) the amount which would (but for this subsection) be allowed as a credit to the taxpayer under subsection (a). (2) Coordination with other deductions Amounts taken into account under subsection (a) shall not be taken into account in determining— (A) any deduction allowed under section 162(l), 213, or 224, or (B) any credit allowed under section 35. (3) Medical and health savings accounts Amounts distributed from an Archer MSA (as defined in section 220(d)) or from a health savings account (as defined in section 223(d)) shall not be taken into account under subsection (a). (4) Denial of credit to dependents and nonpermanent resident alien individuals No credit shall be allowed under this section to any individual who is— (A) not a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, or (B) a dependent with respect to another taxpayer for a taxable year beginning in the calendar year in which such individual’s taxable year begins. (5) Insurance which covers other individuals For purposes of this section, rules similar to the rules of section 213(d)(6) shall apply with respect to any contract for qualified health insurance under which amounts are payable for coverage of an individual other than the taxpayer and qualifying family members. (6) Treatment of payments For purposes of this section— (A) Payments by secretary Payments made by the Secretary on behalf of any individual under section 7529 (relating to advance payment of credit for health insurance costs of low-income individuals) shall be treated as having been made by the taxpayer on the first day of the month for which such payment was made. (B) Payments by taxpayer Payments made by the taxpayer for eligible coverage months shall be treated as having been made by the taxpayer on the first day of the month for which such payment was made. (7) Regulations The Secretary may prescribe such regulations and other guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out this section, section 6050W, and section 7529. . (b) Conforming amendments (1) Paragraph (2) of section 1324(b) 36B, 36A, (2) The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 Sec. 36B. Health insurance costs of low-income individuals. . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2013. (d) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that the cost of the advanceable refundable credit under sections 36B and 7529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by this title, will be offset by savings derived from the provisions of title XIII. 102. Advance payment of credit as premium payment for qualified health insurance (a) In general Chapter 77 7529. Advance payment of credit as premium payment for qualified health insurance (a) General rule Not later than January 1, 2014, the Secretary shall establish a program for making payments to providers of qualified health insurance (as defined in section 36B(e)) on behalf of taxpayers eligible for the credit under section 36B. Except as otherwise provided by the Secretary, such payments shall be made on the basis of the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer for the preceding taxable year. (b) Certification process and proof of coverage For purposes of this section, payments may be made pursuant to subsection (a) only with respect to individuals for whom a qualified health insurance costs credit eligibility certificate is in effect. . (b) Disclosure of return information for purposes of advance payment of credit as premiums for qualified health insurance (1) In general Subsection (l) of section 6103 of such Code, as amended by section 2, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (21) Disclosure of return information for purposes of advance payment of credit as premiums for qualified health insurance The Secretary may, on behalf of taxpayers eligible for the credit under section 36B, disclose to a provider of qualified health insurance (as defined in section 36(e)), and persons acting on behalf of such provider, return information with respect to any such taxpayer only to the extent necessary (as prescribed by regulations issued by the Secretary) to carry out the program established by section 7529 (relating to advance payment of credit as premium payment for qualified health insurance). . (2) Confidentiality of information Paragraph (3) of section 6103(a) of such Code, as amended by section 2, is amended by striking or (20) (20), or (21) (3) Unauthorized disclosure Paragraph (2) of section 7213(a) of such Code, as amended by section 2, is amended by striking or (20) (20), or (21) (c) Information reporting (1) In general Subpart B of part III of subchapter A of chapter 61 of such Code (relating to information concerning transactions with other persons) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 6050X. Returns relating to credit for health insurance costs of low-income individuals (a) Requirement of reporting Every person who is entitled to receive payments for any month of any calendar year under section 7529 (relating to advance payment of credit as premium payment for qualified health insurance) with respect to any individual shall, at such time as the Secretary may prescribe, make the return described in subsection (b) with respect to each such individual. (b) Form and manner of returns A return is described in this subsection if such return— (1) is in such form as the Secretary may prescribe, and (2) contains— (A) the name, address, and TIN of each individual referred to in subsection (a), (B) the number of months for which amounts were entitled to be received with respect to such individual under section 7529 (relating to advance payment of credit as premium payment for qualified health insurance), (C) the amount entitled to be received for each such month, and (D) such other information as the Secretary may prescribe. (c) Statements To be furnished to individuals with respect to whom information is required Every person required to make a return under subsection (a) shall furnish to each individual whose name is required to be set forth in such return a written statement showing— (1) the name and address of the person required to make such return and the phone number of the information contact for such person, and (2) the information required to be shown on the return with respect to such individual. The written statement required under the preceding sentence shall be furnished on or before January 31 of the year following the calendar year for which the return under subsection (a) is required to be made. . (2) Assessable penalties (A) Subparagraph (B) of section 6724(d)(1) of such Code, as amended by section 2, is amended by striking or and or (xxiv) section 6050X (relating to returns relating to credit for health insurance costs of low-income individuals), and . (B) Paragraph (2) of section 6724(d) of such Code, as amended by section 2, is amended by striking or , or (GG) section 6050X (relating to returns relating to credit for health insurance costs of low-income individuals). . (d) Clerical amendments (1) The table of sections for chapter 77 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new item: Sec. 7529. Advance payment of credit as premium payment for qualified health insurance. . (2) The table of sections for subpart B of part III of subchapter A of chapter 61 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new item: Sec. 6050X. Returns relating to credit for health insurance costs of low-income individuals. . (e) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. 103. Election of tax credit instead of alternative government or group plan benefits (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an individual who is otherwise eligible for benefits under a health program (as defined in subsection (c)) may elect, in a form and manner specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, to receive a tax credit described in section 36B (b) Effective date An election under subsection (a) may first be made for calendar year 2014 and any such election shall be effective for such period (not less than one calendar year) as the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall specify, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury. (c) Health program defined For purposes of this section, the term health program (1) Medicare The Medicare program under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act. (2) Medicaid The Medicaid program under title XIX of such Act (including such a program operating under a Statewide waiver under section 1115 of such Act). (3) SCHIP The State children’s health insurance program under title XXI of such Act. (4) TRICARE The TRICARE program under chapter 55 (5) Veterans benefits Coverage for benefits under chapter 17 (6) FEHBP Coverage under chapter 89 (7) Subsidized group health plans Coverage under a group health plan (within the meaning of section 5000(b)(1)) which is subsidized by the employer. (d) Other Social Security benefits not waived An election to waive the benefits described in subsection (c)(1) shall not result in the waiver of any other benefits under the Social Security Act. 104. Deduction for qualified health insurance costs of individuals (a) In general Part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 224. Costs of qualified health insurance (a) In general In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a deduction an amount equal to the amount paid during the taxable year for coverage for the taxpayer, his spouse, and dependents under qualified health insurance. (b) Limitation In the case of any taxpayer for any taxable year, the deduction under subsection (a) shall not exceed an amount that would cause the taxpayer’s Federal income tax liability to be reduced by more than the average value of the national health exclusion for employer-sponsored insurance as determined by calculating the value of the exclusion for each household followed by calculating the average of those values. (c) Qualified health insurance For purposes of this section, the term qualified health insurance (d) Special rules (1) Coordination with medical deduction, etc Any amount paid by a taxpayer for insurance to which subsection (a) applies shall not be taken into account in computing the amount allowable to the taxpayer as a deduction under section 162(l) or 213(a). Any amount taken into account in determining the credit allowed under section 35 or 36B shall not be taken into account for purposes of this section. (2) Deduction not allowed for self-employment tax purposes The deduction allowable by reason of this section shall not be taken into account in determining an individual’s net earnings from self-employment (within the meaning of section 1402(a)) for purposes of chapter 2. . (b) Deduction allowed in computing adjusted gross income Subsection (a) of section 62 of such Code is amended by inserting before the last sentence the following new paragraph: (22) Costs of qualified health insurance The deduction allowed by section 224. . (c) Clerical amendment The table of sections for part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by redesignating the item relating to section 224 as an item relating to section 225 and inserting before such item the following new item: Sec. 224. Costs of qualified health insurance. . (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2013. 105. Limitation on abortion funding No funds authorized under, or credits or deductions allowed under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by reason of, this Act (or any amendment made by this Act) may be used to pay for any abortion or to cover any part of the costs of any health plan that includes coverage of abortion, except in the case where a woman suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness that would, as certified by a physician, place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, or unless the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest. 106. No government discrimination against certain health care entities (a) Non-Discrimination A Federal agency or program, and any State or local government that receives Federal financial assistance under this Act or any amendment made by this Act (either directly or indirectly), may not subject any individual or institutional health care entity to discrimination on the basis that the health care entity does not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions. (b) Health care entity defined For purposes of this section, the term health care entity (c) Remedies (1) In general The courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction to prevent and redress actual or threatened violations of this section by issuing any form of legal or equitable relief, including— (A) injunctions prohibiting conduct that violates this section; and (B) orders preventing the disbursement of all or a portion of Federal financial assistance to a State or local government, or to a specific offending agency or program of a State or local government, until such time as the conduct prohibited by this section has ceased. (2) Commencement of action An action under this subsection may be instituted by— (A) any health care entity that has standing to complain of an actual or threatened violation of this section; or (B) the Attorney General of the United States. (d) Administration The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall designate the Director of the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services— (1) to receive complaints alleging a violation of this section; (2) subject to paragraph (3), to pursue the investigation of such complaints in coordination with the Attorney General; and (3) in the case of a complaint related to a Federal agency (other than with respect to the Department of Health and Human Services) or program administered through such other agency or any State or local government receiving Federal financial assistance through such other agency, to refer the complaint to the appropriate office of such other agency. 107. Equal employer contribution rule to promote choice (a) In general Section 5000 (e) Health care contribution election (1) In general Subsection (a) shall not apply in the case of a group health plan with respect to which the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) are met. (2) Contribution election The requirement of this paragraph is met with respect to a group health plan if any employee of an employer (who but for this paragraph would be covered by such plan) may elect to have the employer or employee organization pay an amount which is not less than the contribution amount to any provider of health insurance coverage (other than excepted benefits as defined in section 9832(c)) which constitutes medical care of the individual or individual’s spouse or dependents in lieu of such group health plan coverage otherwise provided or contributed to by the employer with respect to such employee. (3) Pre-existing conditions (A) In general The requirement of this paragraph is met with respect to health insurance coverage provided to a participant or beneficiary by any health insurance issuer if, under such plan the requirements of section 9801 are met with respect to the participant or beneficiary. (B) Enforcement with respect to individual election For purposes of subparagraph (A), any health insurance coverage with respect to the participant or beneficiary shall be treated as health insurance coverage under a group health plan to which section 9801 applies. (4) Contribution amount For purposes of this section, the term contribution amount (5) Group health plan For purpose of this subsection, subsection (d) shall not apply. (6) Application to FEHBP Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Office of Personnel Management shall carry out the health benefits program under chapter 89 . (b) Requirement of equal contributions to all FEHBP plans Section 8906 (j) Notwithstanding the previous provisions of this section the Office of Personnel Management shall revise the amount of the Government contribution made under this section in a manner so that— (1) the amount of such contribution does not change based on the health benefits plan in which the individual is enrolled; and (2) the aggregate amount of such contributions is estimated to be equal to the aggregate amount of such contributions if this subsection did not apply. . (c) Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 conforming amendments (1) Exception from HIPAA requirements for benefits provided under health care contribution election Section 732 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( 29 U.S.C. 1191a (e) Health care contribution election (1) In general The requirements of this part shall not apply in the case of health insurance coverage (other than excepted benefits as defined in section 9832(c) (A) which is provided to a participant or beneficiary by a health insurance issuer under a group health plan, and (B) with respect to which the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) are met. (2) Contribution election The requirement of this paragraph is met with respect to health insurance coverage provided to a participant or beneficiary by any health insurance issuer under a group health plan if, under such plan— (A) the participant may elect such coverage for any period of coverage in lieu of health insurance coverage otherwise provided under such plan for such period, and (B) in the case of such an election, the plan sponsor is required to pay to such issuer for the elected coverage for such period an amount which is not less than the contribution amount for such health insurance coverage otherwise provided under such plan for such period. (3) Pre-existing conditions (A) In general The requirement of this paragraph is met with respect to health insurance coverage provided to a participant or beneficiary by any health insurance issuer if, under such plan the requirements of section 701 are met with respect to the participant or beneficiary. (B) Enforcement with respect to individual election For purposes of subparagraph (A), any health insurance coverage with respect to the participant or beneficiary shall be treated as health insurance coverage under a group health plan to which section 701 applies. (4) Contribution amount (A) In general For purposes of this section, the term contribution amount (B) Applicable premium For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term applicable premium . (2) Exemption from fiduciary liability Section 404 of such Act ( 29 U.S.C. 1104 (e) The plan sponsor of a group health plan (as defined in section 733(a)) shall not be treated as breaching any of the responsibilities, obligations, or duties imposed upon fiduciaries by this title in the case of any individual who is a participant or beneficiary under such plan solely because of the extent to which the plan sponsor provides, in the case of such individual, some or all of such benefits by means of payment of contribution amounts pursuant to a contribution election under section 732(e), irrespective of the amount or type of benefits that would otherwise be provided to such individual under such plan. . (d) Exception from HIPAA requirements under IRC for benefits provided under health care contribution election Section 9831 (d) Health care contribution election (1) In general The requirements of this chapter shall not apply in the case of health insurance coverage (other than excepted benefits as defined in section 9832(c))— (A) which is provided to a participant or beneficiary by a health insurance issuer under a group health plan, and (B) with respect to which the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) are met. (2) Contribution election The requirement of this paragraph is met with respect to health insurance coverage provided to a participant or beneficiary by any health insurance issuer under a group health plan if, under such plan— (A) the participant may elect such coverage for any period of coverage in lieu of health insurance coverage otherwise provided under such plan for such period, and (B) in the case of such an election, the plan sponsor is required to pay to such issuer for the elected coverage for such period an amount which is not less than the contribution amount for such health insurance coverage otherwise provided under such plan for such period. (3) Pre-existing conditions (A) In general The requirement of this paragraph is met with respect to health insurance coverage provided to a participant or beneficiary by any health insurance issuer if, under such plan the requirements of section 9801 are met with respect to the participant or beneficiary. (B) Enforcement with respect to individual election For purposes of subparagraph (A), any health insurance coverage with respect to the participant or beneficiary shall be treated as health insurance coverage under a group health plan to which section 9801 applies. (4) Contribution amount (A) In general For purposes of this subsection, the term contribution amount (B) Applicable premium For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term applicable premium . (e) Exception from HIPAA requirements under the PHSA for benefits provided under health care contribution election Section 2721 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300gg–21 (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new subsection: (e) Health care contribution election (1) In general The requirements of subparts 1 through 3 shall not apply in the case of health insurance coverage (other than excepted benefits as defined in section 9832(c) (A) which is provided to a participant or beneficiary by a health insurance issuer under a group health plan, and (B) with respect to which the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) are met. (2) Contribution election The requirement of this paragraph is met with respect to health insurance coverage provided to a participant or beneficiary by any health insurance issuer under a group health plan if, under such plan— (A) the participant may elect such coverage for any period of coverage in lieu of health insurance coverage otherwise provided under such plan for such period, and (B) in the case of such an election, the plan sponsor is required to pay to such issuer for the elected coverage for such period an amount which is not less than the contribution amount for such health insurance coverage otherwise provided under such plan for such period. (3) Pre-existing conditions (A) In general The requirement of this paragraph is met with respect to health insurance coverage provided to a participant or beneficiary by any health insurance issuer if, under such plan the requirements of section 2701 are met with respect to the participant or beneficiary. (B) Enforcement with respect to individual election For purposes of subparagraph (A), any health insurance coverage with respect to the participant or beneficiary shall be treated as health insurance coverage under a group health plan to which section 2701 applies. (4) Contribution amount (A) In general For purposes of this section, the term contribution amount (B) Applicable premium For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term applicable premium . 108. Limitations on State restrictions on employer auto-enrollment (a) In general No State shall establish a law that prevents an employer that is allowed an exclusion from gross income, a deduction, or a credit for Federal income tax purposes for health benefits furnished to a participant or beneficiary from instituting auto-enrollment which meets the requirements of subsection (b) for coverage of a participant or beneficiary under a group health plan, or health insurance coverage offered in connection with such a plan, so long as the participant or beneficiary has the option of declining such coverage. (b) Automatic enrollment for employer-Sponsored health benefits (1) In general The requirement of this subsection with respect to an employer and an employee is that the employer automatically enroll such employee into the employment-based health benefits plan for individual coverage under the plan option with the lowest applicable employee premium. (2) Opt-out In no case may an employer automatically enroll an employee in a plan under paragraph (1) if such employee makes an affirmative election to opt-out of such plan or to elect coverage under an employment-based health benefits plan offered by such employer. An employer shall provide an employee with a 30-day period to make such an affirmative election before the employer may automatically enroll the employee in such a plan. (3) Notice requirements (A) In general Each employer described in paragraph (1) who automatically enrolls an employee into a plan as described in such paragraph shall provide the employees, within a reasonable period before the beginning of each plan year (or, in the case of new employees, within a reasonable period before the end of the enrollment period for such a new employee), written notice of the employees’ rights and obligations relating to the automatic enrollment requirement under such paragraph. Such notice must be comprehensive and understood by the average employee to whom the automatic enrollment requirement applies. (B) Inclusion of specific information The written notice under subparagraph (A) must explain an employee’s right to opt out of being automatically enrolled in a plan and in the case that more than one level of benefits or employee premium level is offered by the employer involved, the notice must explain which level of benefits and employee premium level the employee will be automatically enrolled in the absence of an affirmative election by the employee. (c) Construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede State law which establishes, implements, or continues in effect any standard or requirement relating to employers in connection with payroll or the sponsoring of employer-sponsored health insurance coverage except to the extent that such standard or requirement prevents an employer from instituting the auto-enrollment described in subsection (a). (d) Non-Application to excepted benefits For purposes of this section, the term group health plan 42 U.S.C. 300gg–91(c) 109. Credit for small employers adopting auto-enrollment and defined contribution options (a) In general Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 45R. Auto-enrollment and defined contribution option for health benefits plans of small employers (a) In general For purposes of section 38, in the case of a small employer, the health benefits plan implementation credit determined under this section for the taxable year is an amount equal to 100 percent of the amount paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year for qualified health benefits expenses. (b) Limitation The credit determined under subsection (a) with respect to any taxpayer for any taxable year shall not exceed the excess of— (1) $1,500, over (2) sum of the credits determined under subsection (a) with respect to such taxpayer for all preceding taxable years. (c) Qualified health benefits expenses For purposes of this section, the term qualified health benefits auto-enrollment expenses (1) establishing auto-enrollment which meets the requirements of section 107 of the Empowering Patients First Act of 2013 (2) implementing the employer contribution option for health insurance coverage pursuant to section 5000(e)(2). (d) Qualified small employer For purposes of this section, the term qualified small employer (e) No double benefit No deduction or credit shall be allowed under any other provision of this chapter with respect to the amount of the credit determined under this section. (f) Termination Subsection (a) shall not apply to any taxable year beginning after the date which is 2 years after the date of the enactment of this section. . (b) Credit To be part of general business credit Subsection (b) of section 38 of such Code, as amended by section 2, is amended by striking plus , plus (36) in the case of a small employer (as defined in section 45R(d)), the health benefits plan implementation credit determined under section 45R(a). . (c) Clerical amendment The table of sections for subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code, as amended by section 2, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 45Q the following new item: Sec. 45R. Auto-enrollment and defined contribution option for health benefits plans of small employers. . (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. 110. HSA modifications and clarifications (a) Clarification of treatment of capitated primary care payments as amounts paid for medical care Section 213(d) (12) Treatment of capitated primary care payments Capitated primary care payments shall be treated as amounts paid for medical care. . (b) Special rule for individuals eligible for veterans or Indian health benefits Section 223(c)(1) of such Code (defining eligible individual) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (C) Special rule for individuals eligible for veterans or Indian health benefits For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), an individual shall not be treated as covered under a health plan described in such subparagraph merely because the individual receives periodic hospital care or medical services under any law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the Bureau of Indian Affairs. . (c) Certain physician fees To be treated as medical care Section 213(d) of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (13) Pre-paid physician fees The term medical care . (d) Application to health care sharing ministries Section 223 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (i) Application to health care sharing ministries For purposes of this section, membership in a health care sharing ministry (as defined in section 36B(f)(3)) shall be treated as coverage under a high deductible health plan. . (e) Effective date The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. II Health Insurance Pooling Mechanisms for Individuals A Federal Grants for State Insurance Expenditures 201. Federal grants for State insurance expenditures (a) In General Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, each State shall receive from the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this subtitle referred to as the Secretary (b) Funding amount (1) In general There are hereby appropriated, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $300,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014, 2015, and 2016 for grants under this section. Such amount shall be divided among the States as determined by the Secretary. (2) Construction Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing a State from using funding under section 2745 of the Public Health Service Act for purposes of funding reinsurance or other risk mechanisms. (c) Limitation Funding under subsection (a) may only be used for the following: (1) Qualifying high-risk pools (A) Current pools A qualifying high-risk pool created before the date of the enactment of this Act that only cover high-risk populations and individuals (and their spouse and dependents) receiving a health care tax credit under section 35 (B) New pools A qualifying high-risk pool created on or after such date that only covers populations and individuals described in subparagraph (A) if the pool— (i) offers at least the option of one or more high-deductible plan options, in combination with a contribution into a health savings account; (ii) offers multiple competing health plan options; and (iii) covers only high-risk populations. (2) Risk insurance pool or other risk-adjustment mechanisms (A) Current reinsurance A reinsurance pool, or other risk-adjustment mechanism, created before the date of the enactment of this Act that only covers populations and individuals described in paragraph (1)(A). (B) New pools A reinsurance pool or other risk-adjustment mechanism created on or after such date that provides reinsurance only covers populations and individuals described in paragraph (1)(A) and only on a prospective basis under which a health insurance issuer cedes covered lives to the pool in exchange for payment of a reinsurance premium. (3) Transition Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing a State from using funds available to transition from an existing high-risk pool to a reinsurance pool. (d) Bonus payments With respect to any amounts made available to the States under this section, the Secretary shall set aside a portion of such amounts that shall only be available for the following activities by such States: (1) Providing guaranteed availability of individual health insurance coverage to certain individuals with prior group coverage under part B of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act. (2) A reduction in premium trends, actual premiums, or other cost-sharing requirements. (3) An expansion or broadening of the pool of high-risk individuals eligible for coverage. (4) States that adopt the Model Health Plan for Uninsurable Individuals Act of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (if and when updated by such Association). The Secretary may request such Association to update such Model Health Plan as needed by 2015. (e) Administration The Secretary shall provide for the administration of this section and may establish such terms and conditions, including the requirement of an application, as may be appropriate to carry out this section. (f) Construction Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a State to operate a reinsurance pool (or other risk-adjustment mechanism) under this section or as preventing a State from operating such a pool or mechanism through one or more private entities. (g) Definitions In this section: (1) Qualifying high-risk pool The term qualifying high-risk pool Public Health Service Act (2) Reinsurance pool or other risk-Adjustment mechanism defined The term reinsurance pool or other risk-adjustment mechanism (3) High-Risk population The term high-risk population (A) individuals who, by reason of the existence or history of a medical condition, are able to acquire health coverage only at rates which are at least 150 percent of the standard risk rates for such coverage (in a non-community-rated non-guaranteed issue State), and (B) individuals who are provided health coverage by a high-risk pool. (4) State defined The term State (h) Extending funding Section 2745(d)(2) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300gg–45(d)(2) (1) in the heading, by inserting and 2014 through 2016 2010 (2) by inserting and for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2016 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2010 (i) Sunset Funds made available under this section shall not be used for the purpose of subsidizing the purchase of private health insurance on or after October 1, 2016. B Health Care Access and Availability 211. Expansion of access and choice through individual and small employer membership associations (IMAs) The Public Health Service Act XXXI Individual and Small Employer Membership Associations 3101. Definition of individual and small employer membership association (IMA) (a) In General For purposes of this title, the terms individual and small employer membership association IMA (1) Organization The IMA is an organization operated under the direction of an association (as defined in section 3104(1)). (2) Offering health benefits coverage (A) Different groups The IMA, in conjunction with those health insurance issuers that offer health benefits coverage through the IMA, makes available health benefits coverage in the manner described in subsection (b) to all members of the IMA and the dependents of such members (and, in the case of small employers, employees and their dependents) in the manner described in subsection (c)(2) at rates that are established by the health insurance issuer on a policy or product specific basis and that may vary only as permissible under State law. (B) Nondiscrimination in coverage offered (i) In General Subject to clause (ii), the IMA may not offer health benefits coverage to a member of an IMA unless the same coverage is offered to all such members of the IMA. (ii) Construction Nothing in this title shall be construed as requiring or permitting a health insurance issuer to provide coverage outside the service area of the issuer, as approved under State law, or requiring a health insurance issuer from excluding or limiting the coverage on any individual, subject to the requirement of section 2741. (C) No financial underwriting The IMA provides health benefits coverage only through contracts with health insurance issuers and does not assume insurance risk with respect to such coverage. (3) Geographic areas Nothing in this title shall be construed as preventing the establishment and operation of more than one IMA in a geographic area or as limiting the number of IMAs that may operate in any area. (4) Provision of administrative services to purchasers (A) In General The IMA may provide administrative services for members. Such services may include accounting, billing, and enrollment information. (B) Construction Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preventing an IMA from serving as an administrative service organization to any entity. (5) Filing information The IMA files with the Secretary information that demonstrates the IMA’s compliance with the applicable requirements of this title. (b) Health benefits coverage requirements (1) Compliance with consumer protection requirements Any health benefits coverage offered through an IMA shall— (A) be underwritten by a health insurance issuer that— (i) is licensed (or otherwise regulated) under State law, and (ii) meets all applicable State standards relating to consumer protection, subject to section 3102(b), and (B) subject to paragraph (2), be approved or otherwise permitted to be offered under State law. (2) Examples of types of coverage The benefits coverage made available through an IMA may include, but is not limited to, any of the following if it meets the other applicable requirements of this title: (A) Coverage through a health maintenance organization. (B) Coverage in connection with a preferred provider organization. (C) Coverage in connection with a licensed provider-sponsored organization. (D) Indemnity coverage through an insurance company. (E) Coverage offered in connection with a contribution into a medical savings account or flexible spending account. (F) Coverage that includes a point-of-service option. (G) Any combination of such types of coverage. (3) Wellness bonuses for health promotion Nothing in this title shall be construed as precluding a health insurance issuer offering health benefits coverage through an IMA from establishing premium discounts or rebates for members or from modifying otherwise applicable copayments or deductibles in return for adherence to programs of health promotion and disease prevention so long as such programs are agreed to in advance by the IMA and comply with all other provisions of this title and do not discriminate among similarly situated members. (c) Members; health insurance issuers (1) Members (A) In General Under rules established to carry out this title, with respect to an individual or small employer who is a member of an IMA, the individual may enroll for health benefits coverage (including coverage for dependents of such individual) or employer may enroll employees for health benefits coverage (including coverage for dependents of such employees) offered by a health insurance issuer through the IMA. (B) Rules for enrollment Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude an IMA from establishing rules of enrollment and reenrollment of members. Such rules shall be applied consistently to all members within the IMA and shall not be based in any manner on health status-related factors. (2) Health insurance issuers The contract between an IMA and a health insurance issuer shall provide, with respect to a member enrolled with health benefits coverage offered by the issuer through the IMA, for the payment of the premiums collected by the issuer. 3102. Application of certain laws and requirements State laws insofar as they relate to any of the following are superseded and shall not apply to health benefits coverage made available through an IMA: (1) Benefit requirements for health benefits coverage offered through an IMA, including (but not limited to) requirements relating to coverage of specific providers, specific services or conditions, or the amount, duration, or scope of benefits, but not including requirements to the extent required to implement title XXVII or other Federal law and to the extent the requirement prohibits an exclusion of a specific disease from such coverage. (2) Any other requirements (including limitations on compensation arrangements) that, directly or indirectly, preclude (or have the effect of precluding) the offering of such coverage through an IMA, if the IMA meets the requirements of this title. Any State law or regulation relating to the composition or organization of an IMA is preempted to the extent the law or regulation is inconsistent with the provisions of this title. 3103. Administration (a) In General The Secretary shall administer this title and is authorized to issue such regulations as may be required to carry out this title. Such regulations shall be subject to Congressional review under the provisions of chapter 8 deemed file and use (b) Periodic reports The Secretary shall submit to Congress a report every 30 months, during the 10-year period beginning on the effective date of the rules promulgated by the Secretary to carry out this title, on the effectiveness of this title in promoting coverage of uninsured individuals. The Secretary may provide for the production of such reports through one or more contracts with appropriate private entities. 3104. Definitions For purposes of this title: (1) Association The term association (A) has been actively in existence for at least 5 years; (B) has been formed and maintained in good faith for purposes other than obtaining insurance; (C) does not condition membership in the association on any health status-related factor relating to an individual (including an employee of an employer or a dependent of an employee); and (D) does not make health insurance coverage offered through the association available other than in connection with a member of the association. (2) Dependent The term dependent (3) Health benefits coverage The term health benefits coverage (4) Health insurance issuer The term health insurance issuer (5) Health status-related factor The term health status-related factor (6) IMA; individual and small employer membership association The terms IMA individual and small employer membership association (7) Member The term member (8) Small employer The term small employer . C Small Business Health Fairness 221. Short title This subtitle may be cited as the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2013 222. Rules governing association health plans (a) In General Subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 8 RULES GOVERNING ASSOCIATION HEALTH PLANS 801. Association health plans (a) In General For purposes of this part, the term association health plan (b) Sponsorship The sponsor of a group health plan is described in this subsection if such sponsor— (1) is organized and maintained in good faith, with a constitution and bylaws specifically stating its purpose and providing for periodic meetings on at least an annual basis, as a bona fide trade association, a bona fide industry association (including a rural electric cooperative association or a rural telephone cooperative association), a bona fide professional association, or a bona fide chamber of commerce (or similar bona fide business association, including a corporation or similar organization that operates on a cooperative basis (within the meaning of section 1381 (2) is established as a permanent entity which receives the active support of its members and requires for membership payment on a periodic basis of dues or payments necessary to maintain eligibility for membership in the sponsor; and (3) does not condition membership, such dues or payments, or coverage under the plan on the basis of health status-related factors with respect to the employees of its members (or affiliated members), or the dependents of such employees, and does not condition such dues or payments on the basis of group health plan participation. Any sponsor consisting of an association of entities which meet the requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) shall be deemed to be a sponsor described in this subsection. 802. Certification of association health plans (a) In General The applicable authority shall prescribe by regulation a procedure under which, subject to subsection (b), the applicable authority shall certify association health plans which apply for certification as meeting the requirements of this part. (b) Standards Under the procedure prescribed pursuant to subsection (a), in the case of an association health plan that provides at least one benefit option which does not consist of health insurance coverage, the applicable authority shall certify such plan as meeting the requirements of this part only if the applicable authority is satisfied that the applicable requirements of this part are met (or, upon the date on which the plan is to commence operations, will be met) with respect to the plan. (c) Requirements Applicable to Certified Plans An association health plan with respect to which certification under this part is in effect shall meet the applicable requirements of this part, effective on the date of certification (or, if later, on the date on which the plan is to commence operations). (d) Requirements for Continued Certification The applicable authority may provide by regulation for continued certification of association health plans under this part. (e) Class Certification for Fully Insured Plans The applicable authority shall establish a class certification procedure for association health plans under which all benefits consist of health insurance coverage. Under such procedure, the applicable authority shall provide for the granting of certification under this part to the plans in each class of such association health plans upon appropriate filing under such procedure in connection with plans in such class and payment of the prescribed fee under section 807(a). (f) Certification of Self-Insured Association Health Plans An association health plan which offers one or more benefit options which do not consist of health insurance coverage may be certified under this part only if such plan consists of any of the following: (1) a plan which offered such coverage on the date of the enactment of the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2013 (2) a plan under which the sponsor does not restrict membership to one or more trades and businesses or industries and whose eligible participating employers represent a broad cross-section of trades and businesses or industries, or (3) a plan whose eligible participating employers represent one or more trades or businesses, or one or more industries, consisting of any of the following: agriculture; equipment and automobile dealerships; barbering and cosmetology; certified public accounting practices; child care; construction; dance, theatrical and orchestra productions; disinfecting and pest control; financial services; fishing; food service establishments; hospitals; labor organizations; logging; manufacturing (metals); mining; medical and dental practices; medical laboratories; professional consulting services; sanitary services; transportation (local and freight); warehousing; wholesaling/distributing; or any other trade or business or industry which has been indicated as having average or above-average risk or health claims experience by reason of State rate filings, denials of coverage, proposed premium rate levels, or other means demonstrated by such plan in accordance with regulations. 803. Requirements relating to sponsors and boards of trustees (a) Sponsor The requirements of this subsection are met with respect to an association health plan if the sponsor has met (or is deemed under this part to have met) the requirements of section 801(b) for a continuous period of not less than 3 years ending with the date of the application for certification under this part. (b) Board of Trustees The requirements of this subsection are met with respect to an association health plan if the following requirements are met: (1) Fiscal control The plan is operated, pursuant to a trust agreement, by a board of trustees which has complete fiscal control over the plan and which is responsible for all operations of the plan. (2) Rules of operation and financial controls The board of trustees has in effect rules of operation and financial controls, based on a 3-year plan of operation, adequate to carry out the terms of the plan and to meet all requirements of this title applicable to the plan. (3) Rules governing relationship to participating employers and to contractors (A) Board membership (i) In general Except as provided in clauses (ii) and (iii), the members of the board of trustees are individuals selected from individuals who are the owners, officers, directors, or employees of the participating employers or who are partners in the participating employers and actively participate in the business. (ii) Limitation (I) General rule Except as provided in subclauses (II) and (III), no such member is an owner, officer, director, or employee of, or partner in, a contract administrator or other service provider to the plan. (II) Limited exception for providers of services solely on behalf of the sponsor Officers or employees of a sponsor which is a service provider (other than a contract administrator) to the plan may be members of the board if they constitute not more than 25 percent of the membership of the board and they do not provide services to the plan other than on behalf of the sponsor. (III) Treatment of providers of medical care In the case of a sponsor which is an association whose membership consists primarily of providers of medical care, subclause (I) shall not apply in the case of any service provider described in subclause (I) who is a provider of medical care under the plan. (iii) Certain plans excluded Clause (i) shall not apply to an association health plan which is in existence on the date of the enactment of the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2013 (B) Sole authority The board has sole authority under the plan to approve applications for participation in the plan and to contract with a service provider to administer the day-to-day affairs of the plan. (c) Treatment of Franchise Networks In the case of a group health plan which is established and maintained by a franchiser for a franchise network consisting of its franchisees— (1) the requirements of subsection (a) and section 801(a) shall be deemed met if such requirements would otherwise be met if the franchiser were deemed to be the sponsor referred to in section 801(b), such network were deemed to be an association described in section 801(b), and each franchisee were deemed to be a member (of the association and the sponsor) referred to in section 801(b); and (2) the requirements of section 804(a)(1) shall be deemed met. The Secretary may by regulation define for purposes of this subsection the terms franchiser franchise network franchisee 804. Participation and coverage requirements (a) Covered Employers and Individuals The requirements of this subsection are met with respect to an association health plan if, under the terms of the plan— (1) each participating employer must be— (A) a member of the sponsor, (B) the sponsor, or (C) an affiliated member of the sponsor with respect to which the requirements of subsection (b) are met, except that, in the case of a sponsor which is a professional association or other individual-based association, if at least one of the officers, directors, or employees of an employer, or at least one of the individuals who are partners in an employer and who actively participates in the business, is a member or such an affiliated member of the sponsor, participating employers may also include such employer; and (2) all individuals commencing coverage under the plan after certification under this part must be— (A) active or retired owners (including self-employed individuals), officers, directors, or employees of, or partners in, participating employers; or (B) the beneficiaries of individuals described in subparagraph (A). (b) Coverage of Previously Uninsured Employees In the case of an association health plan in existence on the date of the enactment of the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2013 (1) the affiliated member was an affiliated member on the date of certification under this part; or (2) during the 12-month period preceding the date of the offering of such coverage, the affiliated member has not maintained or contributed to a group health plan with respect to any of its employees who would otherwise be eligible to participate in such association health plan. (c) Individual Market Unaffected The requirements of this subsection are met with respect to an association health plan if, under the terms of the plan, no participating employer may provide health insurance coverage in the individual market for any employee not covered under the plan which is similar to the coverage contemporaneously provided to employees of the employer under the plan, if such exclusion of the employee from coverage under the plan is based on a health status-related factor with respect to the employee and such employee would, but for such exclusion on such basis, be eligible for coverage under the plan. (d) Prohibition of Discrimination Against Employers and Employees Eligible To Participate The requirements of this subsection are met with respect to an association health plan if— (1) under the terms of the plan, all employers meeting the preceding requirements of this section are eligible to qualify as participating employers for all geographically available coverage options, unless, in the case of any such employer, participation or contribution requirements of the type referred to in section 2711 of the Public Health Service Act (2) upon request, any employer eligible to participate is furnished information regarding all coverage options available under the plan; and (3) the applicable requirements of sections 701, 702, and 703 are met with respect to the plan. 805. Other requirements relating to plan documents, contribution rates, and benefit options (a) In General The requirements of this section are met with respect to an association health plan if the following requirements are met: (1) Contents of governing instruments The instruments governing the plan include a written instrument, meeting the requirements of an instrument required under section 402(a)(1), which— (A) provides that the board of trustees serves as the named fiduciary required for plans under section 402(a)(1) and serves in the capacity of a plan administrator (referred to in section 3(16)(A)); (B) provides that the sponsor of the plan is to serve as plan sponsor (referred to in section 3(16)(B)); and (C) incorporates the requirements of section 806. (2) Contribution rates must be nondiscriminatory (A) The contribution rates for any participating small employer do not vary on the basis of any health status-related factor in relation to employees of such employer or their beneficiaries and do not vary on the basis of the type of business or industry in which such employer is engaged. (B) Nothing in this title or any other provision of law shall be construed to preclude an association health plan, or a health insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage in connection with an association health plan, from— (i) setting contribution rates based on the claims experience of the plan; or (ii) varying contribution rates for small employers in a State to the extent that such rates could vary using the same methodology employed in such State for regulating premium rates in the small group market with respect to health insurance coverage offered in connection with bona fide associations (within the meaning of section 2791(d)(3) of the Public Health Service Act subject to the requirements of section 702(b) relating to contribution rates. (3) Floor for number of covered individuals with respect to certain plans If any benefit option under the plan does not consist of health insurance coverage, the plan has as of the beginning of the plan year not fewer than 1,000 participants and beneficiaries. (4) Marketing requirements (A) In general If a benefit option which consists of health insurance coverage is offered under the plan, State-licensed insurance agents shall be used to distribute to small employers coverage which does not consist of health insurance coverage in a manner comparable to the manner in which such agents are used to distribute health insurance coverage. (B) State-licensed insurance agents For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term State-licensed insurance agents (5) Regulatory requirements Such other requirements as the applicable authority determines are necessary to carry out the purposes of this part, which shall be prescribed by the applicable authority by regulation. (b) Ability of Association Health Plans To Design Benefit Options Subject to section 514(d), nothing in this part or any provision of State law (as defined in section 514(c)(1)) shall be construed to preclude an association health plan, or a health insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage in connection with an association health plan, from exercising its sole discretion in selecting the specific items and services consisting of medical care to be included as benefits under such plan or coverage, except (subject to section 514) in the case of (1) any law to the extent that it is not preempted under section 731(a)(1) with respect to matters governed by section 711, 712, or 713, or (2) any law of the State with which filing and approval of a policy type offered by the plan was initially obtained to the extent that such law prohibits an exclusion of a specific disease from such coverage. 806. Maintenance of reserves and provisions for solvency for plans providing health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage (a) In General The requirements of this section are met with respect to an association health plan if— (1) the benefits under the plan consist solely of health insurance coverage; or (2) if the plan provides any additional benefit options which do not consist of health insurance coverage, the plan— (A) establishes and maintains reserves with respect to such additional benefit options, in amounts recommended by the qualified health actuary, consisting of— (i) a reserve sufficient for unearned contributions; (ii) a reserve sufficient for benefit liabilities which have been incurred, which have not been satisfied, and for which risk of loss has not yet been transferred, and for expected administrative costs with respect to such benefit liabilities; (iii) a reserve sufficient for any other obligations of the plan; and (iv) a reserve sufficient for a margin of error and other fluctuations, taking into account the specific circumstances of the plan; and (B) establishes and maintains aggregate and specific excess/stop loss insurance and solvency indemnification, with respect to such additional benefit options for which risk of loss has not yet been transferred, as follows: (i) The plan shall secure aggregate excess/stop loss insurance for the plan with an attachment point which is not greater than 125 percent of expected gross annual claims. The applicable authority may by regulation provide for upward adjustments in the amount of such percentage in specified circumstances in which the plan specifically provides for and maintains reserves in excess of the amounts required under subparagraph (A). (ii) The plan shall secure specific excess/stop loss insurance for the plan with an attachment point which is at least equal to an amount recommended by the plan’s qualified health actuary. The applicable authority may by regulation provide for adjustments in the amount of such insurance in specified circumstances in which the plan specifically provides for and maintains reserves in excess of the amounts required under subparagraph (A). (iii) The plan shall secure indemnification insurance for any claims which the plan is unable to satisfy by reason of a plan termination. Any person issuing to a plan insurance described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subparagraph (B) shall notify the Secretary of any failure of premium payment meriting cancellation of the policy prior to undertaking such a cancellation. Any regulations prescribed by the applicable authority pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (B) may allow for such adjustments in the required levels of excess/stop loss insurance as the qualified health actuary may recommend, taking into account the specific circumstances of the plan. (b) Minimum Surplus in Addition to Claims Reserves In the case of any association health plan described in subsection (a)(2), the requirements of this subsection are met if the plan establishes and maintains surplus in an amount at least equal to— (1) $500,000, or (2) such greater amount (but not greater than $2,000,000) as may be set forth in regulations prescribed by the applicable authority, considering the level of aggregate and specific excess/stop loss insurance provided with respect to such plan and other factors related to solvency risk, such as the plan’s projected levels of participation or claims, the nature of the plan’s liabilities, and the types of assets available to assure that such liabilities are met. (c) Additional Requirements In the case of any association health plan described in subsection (a)(2), the applicable authority may provide such additional requirements relating to reserves, excess/stop loss insurance, and indemnification insurance as the applicable authority considers appropriate. Such requirements may be provided by regulation with respect to any such plan or any class of such plans. (d) Adjustments for Excess/Stop Loss Insurance The applicable authority may provide for adjustments to the levels of reserves otherwise required under subsections (a) and (b) with respect to any plan or class of plans to take into account excess/stop loss insurance provided with respect to such plan or plans. (e) Alternative Means of Compliance The applicable authority may permit an association health plan described in subsection (a)(2) to substitute, for all or part of the requirements of this section (except subsection (a)(2)(B)(iii)), such security, guarantee, hold-harmless arrangement, or other financial arrangement as the applicable authority determines to be adequate to enable the plan to fully meet all its financial obligations on a timely basis and is otherwise no less protective of the interests of participants and beneficiaries than the requirements for which it is substituted. The applicable authority may take into account, for purposes of this subsection, evidence provided by the plan or sponsor which demonstrates an assumption of liability with respect to the plan. Such evidence may be in the form of a contract of indemnification, lien, bonding, insurance, letter of credit, recourse under applicable terms of the plan in the form of assessments of participating employers, security, or other financial arrangement. (f) Measures To Ensure Continued Payment of Benefits by Certain Plans in Distress (1) Payments by certain plans to association health plan fund (A) In general In the case of an association health plan described in subsection (a)(2), the requirements of this subsection are met if the plan makes payments into the Association Health Plan Fund under this subparagraph when they are due. Such payments shall consist of annual payments in the amount of $5,000, and, in addition to such annual payments, such supplemental payments as the Secretary may determine to be necessary under paragraph (2). Payments under this paragraph are payable to the Fund at the time determined by the Secretary. Initial payments are due in advance of certification under this part. Payments shall continue to accrue until a plan’s assets are distributed pursuant to a termination procedure. (B) Penalties for failure to make payments If any payment is not made by a plan when it is due, a late payment charge of not more than 100 percent of the payment which was not timely paid shall be payable by the plan to the Fund. (C) Continued duty of the secretary The Secretary shall not cease to carry out the provisions of paragraph (2) on account of the failure of a plan to pay any payment when due. (2) Payments by secretary to continue excess/stop loss insurance coverage and indemnification insurance coverage for certain plans In any case in which the applicable authority determines that there is, or that there is reason to believe that there will be: (A) a failure to take necessary corrective actions under section 809(a) with respect to an association health plan described in subsection (a)(2); or (B) a termination of such a plan under section 809(b) or 810(b)(8) (and, if the applicable authority is not the Secretary, certifies such determination to the Secretary), the Secretary shall determine the amounts necessary to make payments to an insurer (designated by the Secretary) to maintain in force excess/stop loss insurance coverage or indemnification insurance coverage for such plan, if the Secretary determines that there is a reasonable expectation that, without such payments, claims would not be satisfied by reason of termination of such coverage. The Secretary shall, to the extent provided in advance in appropriation Acts, pay such amounts so determined to the insurer designated by the Secretary. (3) Association health plan fund (A) In general There is established on the books of the Treasury a fund to be known as the Association Health Plan Fund (B) Investment Whenever the Secretary determines that the moneys of the fund are in excess of current needs, the Secretary may request the investment of such amounts as the Secretary determines advisable by the Secretary of the Treasury in obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States. (g) Excess/Stop Loss Insurance For purposes of this section— (1) Aggregate excess/stop loss insurance The term aggregate excess/stop loss insurance (A) under which an insurer (meeting such minimum standards as the applicable authority may prescribe by regulation) provides for payment to the plan with respect to aggregate claims under the plan in excess of an amount or amounts specified in such contract; (B) which is guaranteed renewable; and (C) which allows for payment of premiums by any third party on behalf of the insured plan. (2) Specific excess/stop loss insurance The term specific excess/stop loss insurance (A) under which an insurer (meeting such minimum standards as the applicable authority may prescribe by regulation) provides for payment to the plan with respect to claims under the plan in connection with a covered individual in excess of an amount or amounts specified in such contract in connection with such covered individual; (B) which is guaranteed renewable; and (C) which allows for payment of premiums by any third party on behalf of the insured plan. (h) Indemnification Insurance For purposes of this section, the term indemnification insurance (1) under which an insurer (meeting such minimum standards as the applicable authority may prescribe by regulation) provides for payment to the plan with respect to claims under the plan which the plan is unable to satisfy by reason of a termination pursuant to section 809(b) (relating to mandatory termination); (2) which is guaranteed renewable and noncancellable for any reason (except as the applicable authority may prescribe by regulation); and (3) which allows for payment of premiums by any third party on behalf of the insured plan. (i) Reserves For purposes of this section, the term reserves (j) Solvency Standards Working Group (1) In general Within 90 days after the date of the enactment of the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2013 (2) Membership The Working Group shall consist of not more than 15 members appointed by the applicable authority. The applicable authority shall include among persons invited to membership on the Working Group at least one of each of the following: (A) A representative of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. (B) A representative of the American Academy of Actuaries. (C) A representative of the State governments, or their interests. (D) A representative of existing self-insured arrangements, or their interests. (E) A representative of associations of the type referred to in section 801(b)(1), or their interests. (F) A representative of multiemployer plans that are group health plans, or their interests. 807. Requirements for application and related requirements (a) Filing Fee Under the procedure prescribed pursuant to section 802(a), an association health plan shall pay to the applicable authority at the time of filing an application for certification under this part a filing fee in the amount of $5,000, which shall be available in the case of the Secretary, to the extent provided in appropriation Acts, for the sole purpose of administering the certification procedures applicable with respect to association health plans. (b) Information To Be Included in Application for Certification An application for certification under this part meets the requirements of this section only if it includes, in a manner and form which shall be prescribed by the applicable authority by regulation, at least the following information: (1) Identifying information The names and addresses of— (A) the sponsor; and (B) the members of the board of trustees of the plan. (2) States in which plan intends to do business The States in which participants and beneficiaries under the plan are to be located and the number of them expected to be located in each such State. (3) Bonding requirements Evidence provided by the board of trustees that the bonding requirements of section 412 will be met as of the date of the application or (if later) commencement of operations. (4) Plan documents A copy of the documents governing the plan (including any bylaws and trust agreements), the summary plan description, and other material describing the benefits that will be provided to participants and beneficiaries under the plan. (5) Agreements with service providers A copy of any agreements between the plan and contract administrators and other service providers. (6) Funding report In the case of association health plans providing benefits options in addition to health insurance coverage, a report setting forth information with respect to such additional benefit options determined as of a date within the 120-day period ending with the date of the application, including the following: (A) Reserves A statement, certified by the board of trustees of the plan, and a statement of actuarial opinion, signed by a qualified health actuary, that all applicable requirements of section 806 are or will be met in accordance with regulations which the applicable authority shall prescribe. (B) Adequacy of contribution rates A statement of actuarial opinion, signed by a qualified health actuary, which sets forth a description of the extent to which contribution rates are adequate to provide for the payment of all obligations and the maintenance of required reserves under the plan for the 12-month period beginning with such date within such 120-day period, taking into account the expected coverage and experience of the plan. If the contribution rates are not fully adequate, the statement of actuarial opinion shall indicate the extent to which the rates are inadequate and the changes needed to ensure adequacy. (C) Current and projected value of assets and liabilities A statement of actuarial opinion signed by a qualified health actuary, which sets forth the current value of the assets and liabilities accumulated under the plan and a projection of the assets, liabilities, income, and expenses of the plan for the 12-month period referred to in subparagraph (B). The income statement shall identify separately the plan’s administrative expenses and claims. (D) Costs of coverage to be charged and other expenses A statement of the costs of coverage to be charged, including an itemization of amounts for administration, reserves, and other expenses associated with the operation of the plan. (E) Other information Any other information as may be determined by the applicable authority, by regulation, as necessary to carry out the purposes of this part. (c) Filing Notice of Certification With States A certification granted under this part to an association health plan shall not be effective unless written notice of such certification is filed with the applicable State authority of each State in which at least 25 percent of the participants and beneficiaries under the plan are located. For purposes of this subsection, an individual shall be considered to be located in the State in which a known address of such individual is located or in which such individual is employed. (d) Notice of Material Changes In the case of any association health plan certified under this part, descriptions of material changes in any information which was required to be submitted with the application for the certification under this part shall be filed in such form and manner as shall be prescribed by the applicable authority by regulation. The applicable authority may require by regulation prior notice of material changes with respect to specified matters which might serve as the basis for suspension or revocation of the certification. (e) Reporting Requirements for Certain Association Health Plans An association health plan certified under this part which provides benefit options in addition to health insurance coverage for such plan year shall meet the requirements of section 103 by filing an annual report under such section which shall include information described in subsection (b)(6) with respect to the plan year and, notwithstanding section 104(a)(1)(A), shall be filed with the applicable authority not later than 90 days after the close of the plan year (or on such later date as may be prescribed by the applicable authority). The applicable authority may require by regulation such interim reports as it considers appropriate. (f) Engagement of Qualified Health Actuary The board of trustees of each association health plan which provides benefits options in addition to health insurance coverage and which is applying for certification under this part or is certified under this part shall engage, on behalf of all participants and beneficiaries, a qualified health actuary who shall be responsible for the preparation of the materials comprising information necessary to be submitted by a qualified health actuary under this part. The qualified health actuary shall utilize such assumptions and techniques as are necessary to enable such actuary to form an opinion as to whether the contents of the matters reported under this part— (1) are in the aggregate reasonably related to the experience of the plan and to reasonable expectations; and (2) represent such actuary’s best estimate of anticipated experience under the plan. The opinion by the qualified health actuary shall be made with respect to, and shall be made a part of, the annual report. 808. Notice requirements for voluntary termination Except as provided in section 809(b), an association health plan which is or has been certified under this part may terminate (upon or at any time after cessation of accruals in benefit liabilities) only if the board of trustees, not less than 60 days before the proposed termination date— (1) provides to the participants and beneficiaries a written notice of intent to terminate stating that such termination is intended and the proposed termination date; (2) develops a plan for winding up the affairs of the plan in connection with such termination in a manner which will result in timely payment of all benefits for which the plan is obligated; and (3) submits such plan in writing to the applicable authority. Actions required under this section shall be taken in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the applicable authority by regulation. 809. Corrective actions and mandatory termination (a) Actions To Avoid Depletion of Reserves An association health plan which is certified under this part and which provides benefits other than health insurance coverage shall continue to meet the requirements of section 806, irrespective of whether such certification continues in effect. The board of trustees of such plan shall determine quarterly whether the requirements of section 806 are met. In any case in which the board determines that there is reason to believe that there is or will be a failure to meet such requirements, or the applicable authority makes such a determination and so notifies the board, the board shall immediately notify the qualified health actuary engaged by the plan, and such actuary shall, not later than the end of the next following month, make such recommendations to the board for corrective action as the actuary determines necessary to ensure compliance with section 806. Not later than 30 days after receiving from the actuary recommendations for corrective actions, the board shall notify the applicable authority (in such form and manner as the applicable authority may prescribe by regulation) of such recommendations of the actuary for corrective action, together with a description of the actions (if any) that the board has taken or plans to take in response to such recommendations. The board shall thereafter report to the applicable authority, in such form and frequency as the applicable authority may specify to the board, regarding corrective action taken by the board until the requirements of section 806 are met. (b) Mandatory Termination In any case in which— (1) the applicable authority has been notified under subsection (a) (or by an issuer of excess/stop loss insurance or indemnity insurance pursuant to section 806(a)) of a failure of an association health plan which is or has been certified under this part and is described in section 806(a)(2) to meet the requirements of section 806 and has not been notified by the board of trustees of the plan that corrective action has restored compliance with such requirements; and (2) the applicable authority determines that there is a reasonable expectation that the plan will continue to fail to meet the requirements of section 806, the board of trustees of the plan shall, at the direction of the applicable authority, terminate the plan and, in the course of the termination, take such actions as the applicable authority may require, including satisfying any claims referred to in section 806(a)(2)(B)(iii) and recovering for the plan any liability under subsection (a)(2)(B)(iii) or (e) of section 806, as necessary to ensure that the affairs of the plan will be, to the maximum extent possible, wound up in a manner which will result in timely provision of all benefits for which the plan is obligated. 810. Trusteeship by the Secretary of insolvent association health plans providing health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage (a) Appointment of Secretary as Trustee for Insolvent Plans Whenever the Secretary determines that an association health plan which is or has been certified under this part and which is described in section 806(a)(2) will be unable to provide benefits when due or is otherwise in a financially hazardous condition, as shall be defined by the Secretary by regulation, the Secretary shall, upon notice to the plan, apply to the appropriate United States district court for appointment of the Secretary as trustee to administer the plan for the duration of the insolvency. The plan may appear as a party and other interested persons may intervene in the proceedings at the discretion of the court. The court shall appoint such Secretary trustee if the court determines that the trusteeship is necessary to protect the interests of the participants and beneficiaries or providers of medical care or to avoid any unreasonable deterioration of the financial condition of the plan. The trusteeship of such Secretary shall continue until the conditions described in the first sentence of this subsection are remedied or the plan is terminated. (b) Powers as Trustee The Secretary, upon appointment as trustee under subsection (a), shall have the power— (1) to do any act authorized by the plan, this title, or other applicable provisions of law to be done by the plan administrator or any trustee of the plan; (2) to require the transfer of all (or any part) of the assets and records of the plan to the Secretary as trustee; (3) to invest any assets of the plan which the Secretary holds in accordance with the provisions of the plan, regulations prescribed by the Secretary, and applicable provisions of law; (4) to require the sponsor, the plan administrator, any participating employer, and any employee organization representing plan participants to furnish any information with respect to the plan which the Secretary as trustee may reasonably need in order to administer the plan; (5) to collect for the plan any amounts due the plan and to recover reasonable expenses of the trusteeship; (6) to commence, prosecute, or defend on behalf of the plan any suit or proceeding involving the plan; (7) to issue, publish, or file such notices, statements, and reports as may be required by the Secretary by regulation or required by any order of the court; (8) to terminate the plan (or provide for its termination in accordance with section 809(b)) and liquidate the plan assets, to restore the plan to the responsibility of the sponsor, or to continue the trusteeship; (9) to provide for the enrollment of plan participants and beneficiaries under appropriate coverage options; and (10) to do such other acts as may be necessary to comply with this title or any order of the court and to protect the interests of plan participants and beneficiaries and providers of medical care. (c) Notice of Appointment As soon as practicable after the Secretary’s appointment as trustee, the Secretary shall give notice of such appointment to— (1) the sponsor and plan administrator; (2) each participant; (3) each participating employer; and (4) if applicable, each employee organization which, for purposes of collective bargaining, represents plan participants. (d) Additional Duties Except to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of this title, or as may be otherwise ordered by the court, the Secretary, upon appointment as trustee under this section, shall be subject to the same duties as those of a trustee under section 704 (e) Other Proceedings An application by the Secretary under this subsection may be filed notwithstanding the pendency in the same or any other court of any bankruptcy, mortgage foreclosure, or equity receivership proceeding, or any proceeding to reorganize, conserve, or liquidate such plan or its property, or any proceeding to enforce a lien against property of the plan. (f) Jurisdiction of Court (1) In general Upon the filing of an application for the appointment as trustee or the issuance of a decree under this section, the court to which the application is made shall have exclusive jurisdiction of the plan involved and its property wherever located with the powers, to the extent consistent with the purposes of this section, of a court of the United States having jurisdiction over cases under chapter 11 (2) Venue An action under this section may be brought in the judicial district where the sponsor or the plan administrator resides or does business or where any asset of the plan is situated. A district court in which such action is brought may issue process with respect to such action in any other judicial district. (g) Personnel In accordance with regulations which shall be prescribed by the Secretary, the Secretary shall appoint, retain, and compensate accountants, actuaries, and other professional service personnel as may be necessary in connection with the Secretary’s service as trustee under this section. 811. State assessment authority (a) In General Notwithstanding section 514, a State may impose by law a contribution tax on an association health plan described in section 806(a)(2), if the plan commenced operations in such State after the date of the enactment of the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2013 (b) Contribution Tax For purposes of this section, the term contribution tax (1) such tax is computed by applying a rate to the amount of premiums or contributions, with respect to individuals covered under the plan who are residents of such State, which are received by the plan from participating employers located in such State or from such individuals; (2) the rate of such tax does not exceed the rate of any tax imposed by such State on premiums or contributions received by insurers or health maintenance organizations for health insurance coverage offered in such State in connection with a group health plan; (3) such tax is otherwise nondiscriminatory; and (4) the amount of any such tax assessed on the plan is reduced by the amount of any tax or assessment otherwise imposed by the State on premiums, contributions, or both received by insurers or health maintenance organizations for health insurance coverage, aggregate excess/stop loss insurance (as defined in section 806(g)(1)), specific excess/stop loss insurance (as defined in section 806(g)(2)), other insurance related to the provision of medical care under the plan, or any combination thereof provided by such insurers or health maintenance organizations in such State in connection with such plan. 812. Definitions and rules of construction (a) Definitions For purposes of this part— (1) Group health plan The term group health plan (2) Medical care The term medical care (3) Health insurance coverage The term health insurance coverage (4) Health insurance issuer The term health insurance issuer (5) Applicable authority The term applicable authority (6) Health status-related factor The term health status-related factor (7) Individual market (A) In general The term individual market (B) Treatment of very small groups (i) In general Subject to clause (ii), such term includes coverage offered in connection with a group health plan that has fewer than 2 participants as current employees or participants described in section 732(d)(3) on the first day of the plan year. (ii) State exception Clause (i) shall not apply in the case of health insurance coverage offered in a State if such State regulates the coverage described in such clause in the same manner and to the same extent as coverage in the small group market (as defined in section 2791(e)(5) of the Public Health Service Act (8) Participating employer The term participating employer (9) Applicable state authority The term applicable State authority Public Health Service Act (10) Qualified health actuary The term qualified health actuary (11) Affiliated member The term affiliated member (A) a person who is otherwise eligible to be a member of the sponsor but who elects an affiliated status with the sponsor, (B) in the case of a sponsor with members which consist of associations, a person who is a member of any such association and elects an affiliated status with the sponsor, or (C) in the case of an association health plan in existence on the date of the enactment of the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2013 (12) Large employer The term large employer (13) Small employer The term small employer (b) Rules of Construction (1) Employers and employees For purposes of determining whether a plan, fund, or program is an employee welfare benefit plan which is an association health plan, and for purposes of applying this title in connection with such plan, fund, or program so determined to be such an employee welfare benefit plan— (A) in the case of a partnership, the term employer employee (B) in the case of a self-employed individual, the term employer employee (2) Plans, funds, and programs treated as employee welfare benefit plans In the case of any plan, fund, or program which was established or is maintained for the purpose of providing medical care (through the purchase of insurance or otherwise) for employees (or their dependents) covered thereunder and which demonstrates to the Secretary that all requirements for certification under this part would be met with respect to such plan, fund, or program if such plan, fund, or program were a group health plan, such plan, fund, or program shall be treated for purposes of this title as an employee welfare benefit plan on and after the date of such demonstration. (3) Exception for certain benefits The requirements of this part shall not apply to a group health plan in relation to its provision of excepted benefits, as defined in section 706(c). . (b) Conforming Amendments to Preemption Rules (1) Section 514(b)(6) of such Act ( 29 U.S.C. 1144(b)(6) (E) The preceding subparagraphs of this paragraph do not apply with respect to any State law in the case of an association health plan which is certified under part 8. . (2) Section 514 of such Act ( 29 U.S.C. 1144 (A) in subsection (b)(4), by striking Subsection (a) Subsections (a) and (d) (B) in subsection (b)(5), by striking subsection (a) subsection (a) of this section and subsections (a)(2)(B) and (b) of section 805 subsection (a) subsection (a) of this section or subsection (a)(2)(B) or (b) of section 805 (C) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and (D) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection: (d) (1) Except as provided in subsection (b)(4), the provisions of this title shall supersede any and all State laws insofar as they may now or hereafter preclude, or have the effect of precluding, a health insurance issuer from offering health insurance coverage in connection with an association health plan which is certified under part 8. (2) Except as provided in paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (b) of this section— (A) In any case in which health insurance coverage of any policy type is offered under an association health plan certified under part 8 to a participating employer operating in such State, the provisions of this title shall supersede any and all laws of such State insofar as they may preclude a health insurance issuer from offering health insurance coverage of the same policy type to other employers operating in the State which are eligible for coverage under such association health plan, whether or not such other employers are participating employers in such plan. (B) In any case in which health insurance coverage of any policy type is offered in a State under an association health plan certified under part 8 and the filing, with the applicable State authority (as defined in section 812(a)(9)), of the policy form in connection with such policy type is approved by such State authority, the provisions of this title shall supersede any and all laws of any other State in which health insurance coverage of such type is offered, insofar as they may preclude, upon the filing in the same form and manner of such policy form with the applicable State authority in such other State, the approval of the filing in such other State. (3) Nothing in subsection (b)(6)(E) or the preceding provisions of this subsection shall be construed, with respect to health insurance issuers or health insurance coverage, to supersede or impair the law of any State— (A) providing solvency standards or similar standards regarding the adequacy of insurer capital, surplus, reserves, or contributions, or (B) relating to prompt payment of claims. (4) For additional provisions relating to association health plans, see subsections (a)(2)(B) and (b) of section 805. (5) For purposes of this subsection, the term association health plan health insurance coverage participating employer health insurance issuer . (3) Section 514(b)(6)(A) of such Act ( 29 U.S.C. 1144(b)(6)(A) (A) in clause (i)(II), by striking and (B) in clause (ii), by inserting and which does not provide medical care (within the meaning of section 733(a)(2)), arrangement, title. title, and (C) by adding at the end the following new clause: (iii) subject to subparagraph (E), in the case of any other employee welfare benefit plan which is a multiple employer welfare arrangement and which provides medical care (within the meaning of section 733(a)(2)), any law of any State which regulates insurance may apply. . (4) Section 514(e) of such Act (as redesignated by paragraph (2)(C)) is amended— (A) by striking Nothing (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), nothing (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) Nothing in any other provision of law enacted on or after the date of the enactment of the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2013 . (c) Plan Sponsor Section 3(16)(B) of such Act ( 29 U.S.C. 102(16)(B) Such term also includes a person serving as the sponsor of an association health plan under part 8. (d) Disclosure of Solvency Protections Related to Self-Insured and Fully Insured Options Under Association Health Plans Section 102(b) of such Act ( 29 U.S.C. 102(b) An association health plan shall include in its summary plan description, in connection with each benefit option, a description of the form of solvency or guarantee fund protection secured pursuant to this Act or applicable State law, if any. (e) Savings Clause Section 731(c) of such Act is amended by inserting or part 8 this part (f) Report to the Congress Regarding Certification of Self-Insured Association Health Plans Not later than January 1, 2016, the Secretary of Labor shall report to the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate the effect association health plans have had, if any, on reducing the number of uninsured individuals. (g) Clerical Amendment The table of contents in section 1 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 Part 8—Rules Governing Association Health Plans 801. Association health plans. 802. Certification of association health plans. 803. Requirements relating to sponsors and boards of trustees. 804. Participation and coverage requirements. 805. Other requirements relating to plan documents, contribution rates, and benefit options. 806. Maintenance of reserves and provisions for solvency for plans providing health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage. 807. Requirements for application and related requirements. 808. Notice requirements for voluntary termination. 809. Corrective actions and mandatory termination. 810. Trusteeship by the Secretary of insolvent association health plans providing health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage. 811. State assessment authority. 812. Definitions and rules of construction. . 223. Clarification of treatment of single employer arrangements Section 3(40)(B) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 29 U.S.C. 1002(40)(B) (1) in clause (i), by inserting after control group, except that, in any case in which the benefit referred to in subparagraph (A) consists of medical care (as defined in section 812(a)(2)), two or more trades or businesses, whether or not incorporated, shall be deemed a single employer for any plan year of such plan, or any fiscal year of such other arrangement, if such trades or businesses are within the same control group during such year or at any time during the preceding 1-year period, (2) in clause (iii), by striking (iii) the determination (iii) (I) in any case in which the benefit referred to in subparagraph (A) consists of medical care (as defined in section 812(a)(2)), the determination of whether a trade or business is under common control (II) in any other case, the determination ; (3) by redesignating clauses (iv) and (v) as clauses (v) and (vi), respectively; and (4) by inserting after clause (iii) the following new clause: (iv) in any case in which the benefit referred to in subparagraph (A) consists of medical care (as defined in section 812(a)(2)), in determining, after the application of clause (i), whether benefits are provided to employees of two or more employers, the arrangement shall be treated as having only one participating employer if, after the application of clause (i), the number of individuals who are employees and former employees of any one participating employer and who are covered under the arrangement is greater than 75 percent of the aggregate number of all individuals who are employees or former employees of participating employers and who are covered under the arrangement, . 224. Enforcement provisions relating to association health plans (a) Criminal Penalties for Certain Willful Misrepresentations Section 501 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 29 U.S.C. 1131 (1) by inserting (a) Sec. 501. (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (b) Any person who willfully falsely represents, to any employee, any employee’s beneficiary, any employer, the Secretary, or any State, a plan or other arrangement established or maintained for the purpose of offering or providing any benefit described in section 3(1) to employees or their beneficiaries as— (1) being an association health plan which has been certified under part 8; (2) having been established or maintained under or pursuant to one or more collective bargaining agreements which are reached pursuant to collective bargaining described in section 8(d) of the National Labor Relations Act ( 29 U.S.C. 158(d) 45 U.S.C. 152 (3) being a plan or arrangement described in section 3(40)(A)(i), shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned not more than 5 years, be fined under title 18, United States Code, or both. . (b) Cease Activities Orders Section 502 of such Act ( 29 U.S.C. 1132 (n) Association Health Plan Cease and Desist Orders (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), upon application by the Secretary showing the operation, promotion, or marketing of an association health plan (or similar arrangement providing benefits consisting of medical care (as defined in section 733(a)(2))) that— (A) is not certified under part 8, is subject under section 514(b)(6) to the insurance laws of any State in which the plan or arrangement offers or provides benefits, and is not licensed, registered, or otherwise approved under the insurance laws of such State; or (B) is an association health plan certified under part 8 and is not operating in accordance with the requirements under part 8 for such certification, a district court of the United States shall enter an order requiring that the plan or arrangement cease activities. (2) Exception Paragraph (1) shall not apply in the case of an association health plan or other arrangement if the plan or arrangement shows that— (A) all benefits under it referred to in paragraph (1) consist of health insurance coverage; and (B) with respect to each State in which the plan or arrangement offers or provides benefits, the plan or arrangement is operating in accordance with applicable State laws that are not superseded under section 514. (3) Additional equitable relief The court may grant such additional equitable relief, including any relief available under this title, as it deems necessary to protect the interests of the public and of persons having claims for benefits against the plan. . (c) Responsibility for Claims Procedure Section 503 of such Act ( 29 U.S.C. 1133 (a) In general In accordance (b) Association Health Plans The terms of each association health plan which is or has been certified under part 8 shall require the board of trustees or the named fiduciary (as applicable) to ensure that the requirements of this section are met in connection with claims filed under the plan. . 225. Cooperation between Federal and State authorities Section 506 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 29 U.S.C. 1136 (d) Consultation With States With Respect to Association Health Plans (1) Agreements with states The Secretary shall consult with the State recognized under paragraph (2) with respect to an association health plan regarding the exercise of— (A) the Secretary’s authority under sections 502 and 504 to enforce the requirements for certification under part 8; and (B) the Secretary’s authority to certify association health plans under part 8 in accordance with regulations of the Secretary applicable to certification under part 8. (2) Recognition of primary domicile state In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that only one State will be recognized, with respect to any particular association health plan, as the State with which consultation is required. In carrying out this paragraph— (A) in the case of a plan which provides health insurance coverage (as defined in section 812(a)(3)), such State shall be the State with which filing and approval of a policy type offered by the plan was initially obtained, and (B) in any other case, the Secretary shall take into account the places of residence of the participants and beneficiaries under the plan and the State in which the trust is maintained. . 226. Effective date and transitional and other rules (a) Effective Date The amendments made by this subtitle shall take effect 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act. The Secretary of Labor shall first issue all regulations necessary to carry out the amendments made by this subtitle within 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Treatment of Certain Existing Health Benefits Programs (1) In general In any case in which, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, an arrangement is maintained in a State for the purpose of providing benefits consisting of medical care for the employees and beneficiaries of its participating employers, at least 200 participating employers make contributions to such arrangement, such arrangement has been in existence for at least 10 years, and such arrangement is licensed under the laws of one or more States to provide such benefits to its participating employers, upon the filing with the applicable authority (as defined in section 812(a)(5) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (A) such arrangement shall be deemed to be a group health plan for purposes of title I of such Act; (B) the requirements of sections 801(a) and 803(a) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (C) the requirements of section 803(b) of such Act shall be deemed met, if the arrangement is operated by a board of directors which— (i) is elected by the participating employers, with each employer having one vote; and (ii) has complete fiscal control over the arrangement and which is responsible for all operations of the arrangement; (D) the requirements of section 804(a) of such Act shall be deemed met with respect to such arrangement; and (E) the arrangement may be certified by any applicable authority with respect to its operations in any State only if it operates in such State on the date of certification. The provisions of this subsection shall cease to apply with respect to any such arrangement at such time after the date of the enactment of this Act as the applicable requirements of this subsection are not met with respect to such arrangement. (2) Definitions For purposes of this subsection, the terms group health plan medical care participating employer Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 association health plan III Interstate Market for Health Insurance 301. Cooperative governing of individual health insurance coverage (a) In General Title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act 42 U.S.C. 300gg et seq. D Cooperative Governing of Individual Health Insurance Coverage 2795. Definitions In this part: (1) Primary state The term primary State (2) Secondary state The term secondary State (3) Health insurance issuer The term health insurance issuer (4) Individual health insurance coverage The term individual health insurance coverage (5) Applicable state authority The term applicable State authority (6) Hazardous financial condition The term hazardous financial condition (A) to meet obligations to policyholders with respect to known claims and reasonably anticipated claims; or (B) to pay other obligations in the normal course of business. (7) Covered laws (A) In general The term covered laws (i) individual health insurance coverage issued by a health insurance issuer; (ii) the offer, sale, rating (including medical underwriting), renewal, and issuance of individual health insurance coverage to an individual; (iii) the provision to an individual in relation to individual health insurance coverage of health care and insurance related services; (iv) the provision to an individual in relation to individual health insurance coverage of management, operations, and investment activities of a health insurance issuer; and (v) the provision to an individual in relation to individual health insurance coverage of loss control and claims administration for a health insurance issuer with respect to liability for which the issuer provides insurance. (B) Exception Such term does not include any law, rule, regulation, agreement, or order governing the use of care or cost management techniques, including any requirement related to provider contracting, network access or adequacy, health care data collection, or quality assurance. (8) State The term State (9) Unfair claims settlement practices The term unfair claims settlement practices (A) Knowingly misrepresenting to claimants and insured individuals relevant facts or policy provisions relating to coverage at issue. (B) Failing to acknowledge with reasonable promptness pertinent communications with respect to claims arising under policies. (C) Failing to adopt and implement reasonable standards for the prompt investigation and settlement of claims arising under policies. (D) Failing to effectuate prompt, fair, and equitable settlement of claims submitted in which liability has become reasonably clear. (E) Refusing to pay claims without conducting a reasonable investigation. (F) Failing to affirm or deny coverage of claims within a reasonable period of time after having completed an investigation related to those claims. (G) A pattern or practice of compelling insured individuals or their beneficiaries to institute suits to recover amounts due under its policies by offering substantially less than the amounts ultimately recovered in suits brought by them. (H) A pattern or practice of attempting to settle or settling claims for less than the amount that a reasonable person would believe the insured individual or his or her beneficiary was entitled by reference to written or printed advertising material accompanying or made part of an application. (I) Attempting to settle or settling claims on the basis of an application that was materially altered without notice to, or knowledge or consent of, the insured. (J) Failing to provide forms necessary to present claims within 15 calendar days of a requests with reasonable explanations regarding their use. (K) Attempting to cancel a policy in less time than that prescribed in the policy or by the law of the primary State. (10) Fraud and abuse The term fraud and abuse (A) Presenting, causing to be presented or preparing with knowledge or belief that it will be presented to or by an insurer, a reinsurer, broker or its agent, false information as part of, in support of or concerning a fact material to one or more of the following: (i) An application for the issuance or renewal of an insurance policy or reinsurance contract. (ii) The rating of an insurance policy or reinsurance contract. (iii) A claim for payment or benefit pursuant to an insurance policy or reinsurance contract. (iv) Premiums paid on an insurance policy or reinsurance contract. (v) Payments made in accordance with the terms of an insurance policy or reinsurance contract. (vi) A document filed with the commissioner or the chief insurance regulatory official of another jurisdiction. (vii) The financial condition of an insurer or reinsurer. (viii) The formation, acquisition, merger, reconsolidation, dissolution or withdrawal from one or more lines of insurance or reinsurance in all or part of a State by an insurer or reinsurer. (ix) The issuance of written evidence of insurance. (x) The reinstatement of an insurance policy. (B) Solicitation or acceptance of new or renewal insurance risks on behalf of an insurer, reinsurer, or other person engaged in the business of insurance by a person who knows or should know that the insurer or other person responsible for the risk is insolvent at the time of the transaction. (C) Transaction of the business of insurance in violation of laws requiring a license, certificate of authority or other legal authority for the transaction of the business of insurance. (D) Attempt to commit, aiding or abetting in the commission of, or conspiracy to commit the acts or omissions specified in this paragraph. 2796. Application of law (a) In General The covered laws of the primary State shall apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer in the primary State and in any secondary State, but only if the coverage and issuer comply with the conditions of this section with respect to the offering of coverage in any secondary State. (b) Exemptions From Covered Laws in a Secondary State Except as provided in this section, a health insurance issuer with respect to its offer, sale, rating (including medical underwriting), renewal, and issuance of individual health insurance coverage in any secondary State is exempt from any covered laws of the secondary State (and any rules, regulations, agreements, or orders sought or issued by such State under or related to such covered laws) to the extent that such laws would— (1) make unlawful, or regulate, directly or indirectly, the operation of the health insurance issuer operating in the secondary State, except that any secondary State may require such an issuer— (A) to pay, on a nondiscriminatory basis, applicable premium and other taxes (including high-risk pool assessments) which are levied on insurers and surplus lines insurers, brokers, or policyholders under the laws of the State; (B) to register with and designate the State insurance commissioner as its agent solely for the purpose of receiving service of legal documents or process; (C) to submit to an examination of its financial condition by the State insurance commissioner in any State in which the issuer is doing business to determine the issuer’s financial condition, if— (i) the State insurance commissioner of the primary State has not done an examination within the period recommended by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners; and (ii) any such examination is conducted in accordance with the examiners’ handbook of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and is coordinated to avoid unjustified duplication and unjustified repetition; (D) to comply with a lawful order issued— (i) in a delinquency proceeding commenced by the State insurance commissioner if there has been a finding of financial impairment under subparagraph (C); or (ii) in a voluntary dissolution proceeding; (E) to comply with an injunction issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, upon a petition by the State insurance commissioner alleging that the issuer is in hazardous financial condition; (F) to participate, on a nondiscriminatory basis, in any insurance insolvency guaranty association or similar association to which a health insurance issuer in the State is required to belong; (G) to comply with any State law regarding fraud and abuse (as defined in section 2795(10)), except that if the State seeks an injunction regarding the conduct described in this subparagraph, such injunction must be obtained from a court of competent jurisdiction; (H) to comply with any State law regarding unfair claims settlement practices (as defined in section 2795(9)); or (I) to comply with the applicable requirements for independent review under section 2798 with respect to coverage offered in the State; (2) require any individual health insurance coverage issued by the issuer to be countersigned by an insurance agent or broker residing in that Secondary State; or (3) otherwise discriminate against the issuer issuing insurance in both the primary State and in any secondary State. (c) Clear and Conspicuous Disclosure A health insurance issuer shall provide the following notice, in 12-point bold type, in any insurance coverage offered in a secondary State under this part by such a health insurance issuer and at renewal of the policy, with the 5 blank spaces therein being appropriately filled with the name of the health insurance issuer, the name of primary State, the name of the secondary State, the name of the secondary State, and the name of the secondary State, respectively, for the coverage concerned: This policy is issued by _____ and is governed by the laws and regulations of the State of _____, and it has met all the laws of that State as determined by that State’s Department of Insurance. This policy may be less expensive than others because it is not subject to all of the insurance laws and regulations of the State of _____, including coverage of some services or benefits mandated by the law of the State of _____. Additionally, this policy is not subject to all of the consumer protection laws or restrictions on rate changes of the State of _____. As with all insurance products, before purchasing this policy, you should carefully review the policy and determine what health care services the policy covers and what benefits it provides, including any exclusions, limitations, or conditions for such services or benefits. (d) Prohibition on Certain Reclassifications and Premium Increases (1) In general For purposes of this section, a health insurance issuer that provides individual health insurance coverage to an individual under this part in a primary or secondary State may not upon renewal— (A) move or reclassify the individual insured under the health insurance coverage from the class such individual is in at the time of issue of the contract based on the health-status related factors of the individual; or (B) increase the premiums assessed the individual for such coverage based on a health status-related factor or change of a health status-related factor or the past or prospective claim experience of the insured individual. (2) Construction Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed to prohibit a health insurance issuer— (A) from terminating or discontinuing coverage or a class of coverage in accordance with subsections (b) and (c) of section 2742; (B) from raising premium rates for all policy holders within a class based on claims experience; (C) from changing premiums or offering discounted premiums to individuals who engage in wellness activities at intervals prescribed by the issuer, if such premium changes or incentives— (i) are disclosed to the consumer in the insurance contract; (ii) are based on specific wellness activities that are not applicable to all individuals; and (iii) are not obtainable by all individuals to whom coverage is offered; (D) from reinstating lapsed coverage; or (E) from retroactively adjusting the rates charged an insured individual if the initial rates were set based on material misrepresentation by the individual at the time of issue. (e) Prior Offering of Policy in Primary State A health insurance issuer may not offer for sale individual health insurance coverage in a secondary State unless that coverage is currently offered for sale in the primary State. (f) Licensing of Agents or Brokers for Health Insurance Issuers Any State may require that a person acting, or offering to act, as an agent or broker for a health insurance issuer with respect to the offering of individual health insurance coverage obtain a license from that State, with commissions or other compensation subject to the provisions of the laws of that State, except that a State may not impose any qualification or requirement which discriminates against a nonresident agent or broker. (g) Documents for Submission to State Insurance Commissioner Each health insurance issuer issuing individual health insurance coverage in both primary and secondary States shall submit— (1) to the insurance commissioner of each State in which it intends to offer such coverage, before it may offer individual health insurance coverage in such State— (A) a copy of the plan of operation or feasibility study or any similar statement of the policy being offered and its coverage (which shall include the name of its primary State and its principal place of business); (B) written notice of any change in its designation of its primary State; and (C) written notice from the issuer of the issuer’s compliance with all the laws of the primary State; and (2) to the insurance commissioner of each secondary State in which it offers individual health insurance coverage, a copy of the issuer’s quarterly financial statement submitted to the primary State, which statement shall be certified by an independent public accountant and contain a statement of opinion on loss and loss adjustment expense reserves made by— (A) a member of the American Academy of Actuaries; or (B) a qualified loss reserve specialist. (h) Power of Courts To Enjoin Conduct Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the authority of any Federal or State court to enjoin— (1) the solicitation or sale of individual health insurance coverage by a health insurance issuer to any person or group who is not eligible for such insurance; or (2) the solicitation or sale of individual health insurance coverage that violates the requirements of the law of a secondary State which are described in subparagraphs (A) through (H) of section 2796(b)(1). (i) Power of Secondary States To Take Administrative Action Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the authority of any State to enjoin conduct in violation of that State’s laws described in section 2796(b)(1). (j) State Powers To Enforce State Laws (1) In general Subject to the provisions of subsection (b)(1)(G) (relating to injunctions) and paragraph (2), nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the authority of any State to make use of any of its powers to enforce the laws of such State with respect to which a health insurance issuer is not exempt under subsection (b). (2) Courts of competent jurisdiction If a State seeks an injunction regarding the conduct described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (h), such injunction must be obtained from a Federal or State court of competent jurisdiction. (k) States’ Authority To Sue Nothing in this section shall affect the authority of any State to bring action in any Federal or State court. (l) Generally Applicable Laws Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the applicability of State laws generally applicable to persons or corporations. (m) Guaranteed Availability of Coverage to HIPAA Eligible Individuals To the extent that a health insurance issuer is offering coverage in a primary State that does not accommodate residents of secondary States or does not provide a working mechanism for residents of a secondary State, and the issuer is offering coverage under this part in such secondary State which has not adopted a qualified high-risk pool as its acceptable alternative mechanism (as defined in section 2744(c)(2)), the issuer shall, with respect to any individual health insurance coverage offered in a secondary State under this part, comply with the guaranteed availability requirements for eligible individuals in section 2741. 2797. Primary State must meet Federal floor before issuer may sell into secondary States A health insurance issuer may not offer, sell, or issue individual health insurance coverage in a secondary State if the State insurance commissioner does not use a risk-based capital formula for the determination of capital and surplus requirements for all health insurance issuers. 2798. Limitation on individual purchase in secondary State Effective beginning two years after the date of enactment of this part, an individual in a State may not buy individual health insurance coverage in a secondary State if the premium for individual health insurance in the primary State (with respect to the individual) exceeds the national average premium by 10 percent or more. 2799. Independent external appeals procedures (a) Right to External Appeal A health insurance issuer may not offer, sell, or issue individual health insurance coverage in a secondary State under the provisions of this title unless— (1) both the secondary State and the primary State have legislation or regulations in place establishing an independent review process for individuals who are covered by individual health insurance coverage, or (2) in any case in which the requirements of subparagraph (A) are not met with respect to the either of such States, the issuer provides an independent review mechanism substantially identical (as determined by the applicable State authority of such State) to that prescribed in the Health Carrier External Review Model Act (b) Qualifications of Independent Medical Reviewers In the case of any independent review mechanism referred to in subsection (a)(2)— (1) In general In referring a denial of a claim to an independent medical reviewer, or to any panel of such reviewers, to conduct independent medical review, the issuer shall ensure that— (A) each independent medical reviewer meets the qualifications described in paragraphs (2) and (3); (B) with respect to each review, each reviewer meets the requirements of paragraph (4) and the reviewer, or at least 1 reviewer on the panel, meets the requirements described in paragraph (5); and (C) compensation provided by the issuer to each reviewer is consistent with paragraph (6). (2) Licensure and expertise Each independent medical reviewer shall be a physician (allopathic or osteopathic) or health care professional who— (A) is appropriately credentialed or licensed in one or more States to deliver health care services; and (B) typically treats the condition, makes the diagnosis, or provides the type of treatment under review. (3) Independence (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), each independent medical reviewer in a case shall— (i) not be a related party (as defined in paragraph (7)); (ii) not have a material familial, financial, or professional relationship with such a party; and (iii) not otherwise have a conflict of interest with such a party (as determined under regulations). (B) Exception Nothing in subparagraph (A) shall be construed to— (i) prohibit an individual, solely on the basis of affiliation with the issuer, from serving as an independent medical reviewer if— (I) a non-affiliated individual is not reasonably available; (II) the affiliated individual is not involved in the provision of items or services in the case under review; (III) the fact of such an affiliation is disclosed to the issuer and the enrollee (or authorized representative) and neither party objects; and (IV) the affiliated individual is not an employee of the issuer and does not provide services exclusively or primarily to or on behalf of the issuer; (ii) prohibit an individual who has staff privileges at the institution where the treatment involved takes place from serving as an independent medical reviewer merely on the basis of such affiliation if the affiliation is disclosed to the issuer and the enrollee (or authorized representative), and neither party objects; or (iii) prohibit receipt of compensation by an independent medical reviewer from an entity if the compensation is provided consistent with paragraph (6). (4) Practicing health care professional in same field (A) In general In a case involving treatment, or the provision of items or services— (i) by a physician, a reviewer shall be a practicing physician (allopathic or osteopathic) of the same or similar specialty, as a physician who, acting within the appropriate scope of practice within the State in which the service is provided or rendered, typically treats the condition, makes the diagnosis, or provides the type of treatment under review; or (ii) by a non-physician health care professional, the reviewer, or at least 1 member of the review panel, shall be a practicing non-physician health care professional of the same or similar specialty as the non-physician health care professional who, acting within the appropriate scope of practice within the State in which the service is provided or rendered, typically treats the condition, makes the diagnosis, or provides the type of treatment under review. (B) Practicing defined For purposes of this paragraph, the term practicing (5) Pediatric expertise In the case of an external review relating to a child, a reviewer shall have expertise under paragraph (2) in pediatrics. (6) Limitations on reviewer compensation Compensation provided by the issuer to an independent medical reviewer in connection with a review under this section shall— (A) not exceed a reasonable level; and (B) not be contingent on the decision rendered by the reviewer. (7) Related party defined For purposes of this section, the term related party (A) The issuer involved, or any fiduciary, officer, director, or employee of the issuer. (B) The enrollee (or authorized representative). (C) The health care professional that provides the items or services involved in the denial. (D) The institution at which the items or services (or treatment) involved in the denial are provided. (E) The manufacturer of any drug or other item that is included in the items or services involved in the denial. (F) Any other party determined under any regulations to have a substantial interest in the denial involved. (8) Definitions For purposes of this subsection: (A) Enrollee The term enrollee (B) Health care professional The term health care professional 2800. Enforcement (a) In General Subject to subsection (b), with respect to specific individual health insurance coverage the primary State for such coverage has sole jurisdiction to enforce the primary State’s covered laws in the primary State and any secondary State. (b) Secondary State’s Authority Nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to affect the authority of a secondary State to enforce its laws as set forth in the exception specified in section 2796(b)(1). (c) Court Interpretation In reviewing action initiated by the applicable secondary State authority, the court of competent jurisdiction shall apply the covered laws of the primary State. (d) Notice of Compliance Failure In the case of individual health insurance coverage offered in a secondary State that fails to comply with the covered laws of the primary State, the applicable State authority of the secondary State may notify the applicable State authority of the primary State. . (b) Effective Date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to individual health insurance coverage offered, issued, or sold after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. (c) GAO Ongoing Study and Reports (1) Study The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct an ongoing study concerning the effect of the amendment made by subsection (a) on— (A) the number of uninsured and under-insured; (B) the availability and cost of health insurance policies for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions; (C) the availability and cost of health insurance policies generally; (D) the elimination or reduction of different types of benefits under health insurance policies offered in different States; and (E) cases of fraud or abuse relating to health insurance coverage offered under such amendment and the resolution of such cases. (2) Annual reports The Comptroller General shall submit to Congress an annual report, after the end of each of the 5 years following the effective date of the amendment made by subsection (a), on the ongoing study conducted under paragraph (1). (d) Severability If any provision of the section or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this section and the application of the provisions of such to any other person or circumstance shall not be affected. IV Safety Net Reforms 401. Requiring outreach and coverage before expansion of eligibility (a) State child health plan required To specify how it will achieve coverage for 90 percent of targeted low-Income children (1) In general Section 2102(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397bb(a) (A) in paragraph (6), by striking and (B) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (8) how the eligibility and benefits provided for under the plan for each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2015) will allow for the State’s annual funding allotment to cover at least 90 percent of the eligible targeted low-income children in the State. . (2) Effective date The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall apply to State child health plans for fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 2015. (b) Limitation on program expansions until lowest income eligible individuals enrolled Section 2105(c) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397dd(c) (12) Limitation on increased coverage of higher income children (A) In general For child health assistance furnished in a fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2015: (i) No payment for children with family income above 300 percent of poverty line Payment shall not be made under this section for child health assistance for a targeted low-income child in a family the income of which exceeds 300 percent of the poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved. (ii) Special rules for payment for children with family income above 200 percent of poverty line In the case of child health assistance for a targeted low-income child in a family the income of which exceeds 200 percent (but does not exceed 300 percent) of the poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved no payment shall be made under this section for such assistance unless the State demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that— (I) the State has met the 90 percent retrospective coverage test specified in subparagraph (B)(i) for the previous fiscal year; and (II) the State will meet the 90 percent prospective coverage test specified in subparagraph (B)(ii) for the fiscal year. (B) 90 percent coverage tests (i) Retrospective test The 90 percent retrospective coverage test specified in this clause is, for a State for a fiscal year, that on average during the fiscal year, the State has enrolled under this title or title XIX at least 90 percent of the individuals residing in the State who— (I) are children under 19 years of age (or are pregnant women) and are eligible for medical assistance under title XIX; or (II) are targeted low-income children whose family income does not exceed 200 percent of the poverty line and who are eligible for child health assistance under this title. (ii) Prospective test The 90 percent prospective test specified in this clause is, for a State for a fiscal year, that on average during the fiscal year, the State will enroll under this title or title XIX at least 90 percent of the individuals residing in the State who— (I) are children under 19 years of age (or are pregnant women) and are eligible for medical assistance under title XIX; or (II) are targeted low-income children whose family income does not exceed such percent of the poverty line (in excess of 200 percent) as the State elects consistent with this paragraph and who are eligible for child health assistance under this title. (C) Grandfather Clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) shall not apply to the provision of child health assistance— (i) to a targeted low-income child who is enrolled for child health assistance under this title as of September 30, 2012; (ii) to a pregnant woman who is enrolled for assistance under this title as of September 30, 2013, through the completion of the post-partum period following completion of her pregnancy; and (iii) for items and services furnished before October 1, 2014, to an individual who is not a targeted low-income child and who is enrolled for assistance under this title as of September 30, 2013. (D) Treatment of pregnant women In this paragraph and sections 2102(a)(8) and 2104(a)(2), the term targeted low-income child child section 457.10 . (c) Standardization of income determinations (1) In general Section 2110 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397jj (d) Standardization of income determinations In determining family income under this title (including in the case of a State child health plan that provides health benefits coverage in the manner described in section 2101(a)(2)), a State shall base such determination on gross income (including amounts that would be included in gross income if they were not exempt from income taxation) and may only take into consideration such income disregards as the Secretary shall develop. . (2) Effective date (A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply to determinations (and redeterminations) of income made on or after April 1, 2012. (B) In the case of a State child health plan under title XXI of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirement imposed by the amendment made by paragraph (1), the State child health plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet this additional requirement before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature. 402. Easing administrative barriers to State cooperation with employer-sponsored insurance coverage (a) Requiring some coverage for employer-Sponsored insurance under CHIP Section 2102(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397b(a) (1) in paragraph (7), by striking and (2) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (9) effective for plan years beginning on or after October 1, 2014, how the plan will provide for child health assistance with respect to targeted low-income children covered under a group health plan. . (b) Federal financial participation for employer-Sponsored insurance Section 2105 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397d (1) in subsection (a)(1)(C), by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: and, subject to paragraph (3)(C), in the form of payment of the premiums for coverage under a group health plan that includes coverage of targeted low-income children and benefits supplemental to such coverage (2) by amending paragraph (3) of subsection (c) to read as follows: (3) Purchase of employer-sponsored insurance (A) In general Payment may be made to a State under subsection (a)(1)(C), subject to the provisions of this paragraph, for the purchase of family coverage under a group health plan that includes coverage of targeted low-income children unless such coverage would otherwise substitute for coverage that would be provided to such children but for the purchase of family coverage. (B) Waiver of certain provisions With respect to coverage described in subparagraph (A)— (i) notwithstanding section 2102, no minimum benefits requirement (other than those otherwise applicable with respect to services referred to in section 2102(a)(7)) under this title shall apply; and (ii) no limitation on beneficiary cost-sharing otherwise applicable under this title or title XIX shall apply. (C) Required provision of supplemental benefits If the coverage described in subparagraph (A) does not provide coverage for the services referred to in section 2102(a)(7), the State child health plan shall provide coverage of such services as supplemental benefits. (D) Limitation on FFP The amount of the payment under paragraph (1)(C) for coverage described in subparagraph (A) (and supplemental benefits under subparagraph (C) for individuals so covered) during a fiscal year may not exceed the product of— (i) the national per capita expenditure under this title (taking into account both Federal and State expenditures) for the previous fiscal year (as determined by the Secretary using the best available data); (ii) the enhanced FMAP for the State and fiscal year involved; and (iii) the number of targeted low-income children for whom such coverage is provided. (E) Voluntary enrollment A State child health plan— (i) may not require a targeted low-income child to enroll in coverage described in subparagraph (A) in order to obtain child health assistance under this title; (ii) before providing such child health assistance for such coverage of a child, shall make available (which may be through an Internet Web site or other means including the State transparency plan portal established under section 901 of the Empowering Patients First Act of 2013 (iii) shall provide at least one opportunity per fiscal year for beneficiaries to switch coverage under this title from coverage described in subparagraph (A) to the coverage that is otherwise made available under this title. (F) Information on coverage options A State child health plan shall— (i) describe how the State will notify potential beneficiaries of coverage described in subparagraph (A); (ii) provide such notification in writing at least during the initial application for enrollment under this title and during redeterminations of eligibility if the individual was enrolled before October 1, 2014; and (iii) post a description of these coverage options on any official Web site that may be established by the State in connection with the plan, including the State transparency plan portal established under section 901 of the Empowering Patients First Act of 2013 (G) Semiannual verification of coverage If coverage described in subparagraph (A) is provided under a group health plan with respect to a targeted low-income child, the State child health plan shall provide for the collection, at least once every six months, of proof from the plan that the child is enrolled in such coverage. (H) Rule of construction Nothing in this section is to be construed to prohibit a State from— (i) offering wrap around benefits in order for a group health plan to meet any State-established minimum benefit requirements; (ii) establishing a cost-effectiveness test to qualify for coverage under such a plan; (iii) establishing limits on beneficiary cost-sharing under such a plan; (iv) paying all or part of a beneficiary’s cost-sharing requirements under such a plan; (v) paying less than the full cost of the employee’s share of the premium under such a plan, including prorating the cost of the premium to pay for only what the State determines is the portion of the premium that covers targeted low-income children; (vi) using State funds to pay for benefits above the Federal upper limit established under subparagraph (C); (vii) allowing beneficiaries enrolled in group health plans from changing plans to another coverage option available under this title at any time; or (viii) providing any guidance or information it deems appropriate in order to help beneficiaries make an informed decision regarding the option to enroll in coverage described in subparagraph (A). (I) Group health plan defined In this paragraph, the term group health plan 42 U.S.C. 300gg–91(a)(1) . (c) Application under Medicaid The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide for the application of the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act in the same manner as such amendments apply to SCHIP under title XXI of such Act. 403. Improving beneficiary choice in SCHIP (a) Requiring offering of alternative coverage options Section 2102 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397b (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (8), by striking and (B) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (10) effective for plan years beginning on or after October 1, 2014, how the plan will provide for child health assistance with respect to targeted low-income children through alternative coverage options in accordance with subsection (e). ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) Alternative coverage options (1) In general Effective October 1, 2014, a State child health plan shall provide for the offering of any qualified alternative coverage that a qualified entity seeks to offer to targeted low-income children through the plan in the State. (2) Application of uniform financial limitation for all alternative coverage options With respect to all qualified alternative coverage offered in a State, the State child health plan shall establish a uniform dollar limitation on the per capita monthly amount that will be paid by the State to the qualified entity with respect to such coverage provided to a targeted low-income child. Such limitation may not be less than 90 percent of the per capita monthly payment made for coverage offered under the State child health plan that is not in the form of an alternative coverage option. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed— (A) as requiring a State to provide for the full payment of premiums for qualified alternative coverage; (B) as preventing a State from charging additional premiums to cover the difference between the cost of qualified alternative coverage and the amount of such payment limitation; or (C) as preventing a State from using its own funds to provide a dollar limitation that exceeds the Federal financial participation as limited under section 2105(c)(10). (3) Treatment of low cost coverage (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), if the uniform dollar limitation under paragraph (2) exceeds the premium for qualified alternative coverage for an enrollee, then such excess shall be refunded to the Federal and State governments in the same proportion as is otherwise applicable to recovered funds under this title. (B) Exception for high-deductible health plans In the case of coverage under a high-deductible health plan, the excess described in subparagraph (A) shall be deposited into a health savings account established with respect to such plan. (4) Exemption A State is not subject to the requirement of paragraph (1) if the State child health plan provides, as of the date of the enactment of this subsection, for a cash out or health savings account type option for those enrolled under the plan. (5) Qualified alternative coverage defined In this section, the term qualified alternative coverage (A) meets the coverage requirements of section 2103 (other than cost-sharing requirements of such section); and (B) is offered by a qualified insurer, and not directly by the State. (6) Qualified insurer defined In this section, the term qualified insurer . (b) Federal financial participation for qualified alternative coverage Section 2105 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397d (1) in subsection (a)(1)(C), as amended by section 402(b), by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: and, subject to paragraph (13)(C), in the form of payment of the premiums for coverage for qualified alternative coverage (2) in subsection (c), as amended by section 401(b) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (13) Purchase of qualified alternative coverage (A) In general Payment may be made to a State under subsection (a)(1)(C), subject to the provisions of this paragraph, for the purchase of qualified alternative coverage. (B) Waiver of certain provisions With respect to coverage described in subparagraph (A), no limitation on beneficiary cost-sharing otherwise applicable under this title or title XIX shall apply. (C) Limitation on FFP The amount of the payment under paragraph (1)(C) for coverage described in subparagraph (A) during a fiscal year in the aggregate for all such coverage in the State may not exceed the product of— (i) the national per capita expenditure under this title (taking into account both Federal and State expenditures) for the previous fiscal year (as determined by the Secretary using the best available data); (ii) the enhanced FMAP for the State and fiscal year involved; and (iii) the number of targeted low-income children for whom such coverage is provided. (D) Voluntary enrollment A State child health plan— (i) may not require a targeted low-income child to enroll in coverage described in subparagraph (A) in order to obtain child health assistance under this title; (ii) before providing such child health assistance for such coverage of a child, shall make available (which may be through an Internet Web site or other means) to the parent or guardian of the child information on the coverage available under this title, including benefits and cost-sharing; and (iii) shall provide at least one opportunity per fiscal year for beneficiaries to switch coverage under this title from coverage described in subparagraph (A) to the coverage that is otherwise made available under this title. (E) Information on coverage options A State child health plan shall— (i) describe how the State will notify potential beneficiaries of coverage described in subparagraph (A); (ii) provide such notification in writing at least during the initial application for enrollment under this title and during redeterminations of eligibility if the individual was enrolled before October 1, 2014; and (iii) post a description of these coverage options on any official Web site that may be established by the State in connection with the plan. (F) Rule of construction Nothing in this section is to be construed to prohibit a State from— (i) establishing limits on beneficiary cost-sharing under such alternative coverage; (ii) paying all or part of a beneficiary’s cost-sharing requirements under such coverage; (iii) paying less than the full cost of a child’s share of the premium under such coverage, insofar as the premium for such coverage exceeds the limitation established by the State under subparagraph (C); (iv) using State funds to pay for benefits above the Federal upper limit established under subparagraph (C); or (v) providing any guidance or information it deems appropriate in order to help beneficiaries make an informed decision regarding the option to enroll in coverage described in subparagraph (A). . (c) Application under Medicaid The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide for the application of the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act in the same manner as such amendments apply to SCHIP under title XXI of such Act. V Lawsuit Abuse Reforms 501. Change in burden of proof based on compliance with best practice guidelines (a) Selection and issuance of best practices guidelines (1) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary guideline (2) Development process Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this title, the Secretary shall enter into a contract with a qualified physician consensus-building organization (such as the Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement), in concert and agreement with physician specialty organizations, to develop guidelines. The contract shall require that the organization submit guidelines to the agency not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this title. (3) Issuance (A) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary shall, after notice and opportunity for public comment, make a rule that provides for the issuance of the guidelines submitted under paragraph (2). (B) Limitation The Secretary may not make a rule that includes guidelines other than those submitted under paragraph (2). (C) Dissemination The Secretary shall post such guidelines on the public Internet Web page of the Department of Health and Human Services. (4) Maintenance Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this title, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall review the guidelines and shall, as necessary, enter into contracts similar to the contract described in paragraph (2), and issue guidelines in a manner similar to the issuance of guidelines under paragraph (3). (b) Use (1) Use by defendant to change the burden of proof If a defendant in a health care lawsuit relating to treatment of an individual establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that the treatment was provided in a manner consistent with an applicable guideline issued under subsection (a), the defendant may not be held liable unless the plaintiff establishes the liability of the defendant by clear and convincing evidence. (2) Limitation on introduction as evidence against a defendant Guidelines issued under subsection (a) may not be introduced as evidence of negligence or deviation in the standard of care in any health care lawsuit unless they have previously been introduced by the defendant. (3) No presumption of negligence against a defendant There shall be no presumption of negligence with respect to treatment if a health care provider provides the treatment in a manner inconsistent with such guidelines. (c) Construction Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing a State from— (1) replacing their current medical malpractice rules with rules that rely, as a defense, upon a health care provider’s compliance with a guideline issued under subsection (a); or (2) applying additional guidelines or limitations on liability that are in addition to, but not in lieu of, the guidelines issued under subsection (a). 502. State grants to create administrative health care tribunals Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 280g et seq. 399T. State grants to create administrative health care tribunals (a) In general The Secretary may award grants to States for the development, implementation, and evaluation of administrative health care tribunals that comply with this section, for the resolution of disputes concerning injuries allegedly caused by health care providers. (b) Conditions for demonstration grants To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a State shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as may be required by the Secretary. A grant shall be awarded under this section on such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines appropriate. (c) Representation by counsel A State that receives a grant under this section may not preclude any party to a dispute before an administrative health care tribunal operated under such grant from obtaining legal representation during any review by the expert panel under subsection (d), the administrative health care tribunal under subsection (e), or a State court under subsection (f). (d) Expert panel review and early offer guidelines (1) In general Prior to the submission of any dispute concerning injuries allegedly caused by health care providers to an administrative health care tribunal under this section, such allegations shall first be reviewed by an expert panel. (2) Composition (A) In general The members of each expert panel under this subsection shall be appointed by the head of the State agency responsible for health. Each expert panel shall be composed of no fewer than 3 members and not more than 7 members. At least one-half of such members shall be medical experts (either physicians or health care professionals). (B) Licensure and expertise Each physician or health care professional appointed to an expert panel under subparagraph (A) shall— (i) be appropriately credentialed or licensed in one or more States to deliver health care services; and (ii) typically treat the condition, make the diagnosis, or provide the type of treatment that is under review. (C) Independence (i) In general Subject to clause (ii), each individual appointed to an expert panel under this paragraph shall— (I) not have a material familial, financial, or professional relationship with a party involved in the dispute reviewed by the panel; and (II) not otherwise have a conflict of interest with such a party. (ii) Exception Nothing in clause (i) shall be construed to prohibit an individual who has staff privileges at an institution where the treatment involved in the dispute was provided from serving as a member of an expert panel merely on the basis of such affiliation, if the affiliation is disclosed to the parties and neither party objects. (D) Practicing health care professional in same field (i) In general In a dispute before an expert panel that involves treatment, or the provision of items or services— (I) by a physician, the medical experts on the expert panel shall be practicing physicians (allopathic or osteopathic) of the same or similar specialty as a physician who typically treats the condition, makes the diagnosis, or provides the type of treatment under review; or (II) by a health care professional other than a physician, at least two medical experts on the expert panel shall be practicing physicians (allopathic or osteopathic) of the same or similar specialty as the health care professional who typically treats the condition, makes the diagnosis, or provides the type of treatment under review, and, if determined appropriate by the State agency, an additional medical expert shall be a practicing health care professional (other than such a physician) of such a same or similar specialty. (ii) Practicing defined In this paragraph, the term practicing (E) Pediatric expertise In the case of dispute relating to a child, at least 1 medical expert on the expert panel shall have expertise described in subparagraph (D)(i) in pediatrics. (3) Determination After a review under paragraph (1), an expert panel shall make a determination as to the liability of the parties involved and compensation. (4) Acceptance If the parties to a dispute before an expert panel under this subsection accept the determination of the expert panel concerning liability and compensation, such compensation shall be paid to the claimant and the claimant shall agree to forgo any further action against the health care providers involved. (5) Failure to accept If any party decides not to accept the expert panel’s determination, the matter shall be referred to an administrative health care tribunal created pursuant to this section. (e) Administrative health care tribunals (1) In general Upon the failure of any party to accept the determination of an expert panel under subsection (d), the parties shall have the right to request a hearing concerning the liability or compensation involved by an administrative health care tribunal established by the State involved. (2) Requirements In establishing an administrative health care tribunal under this section, a State shall— (A) ensure that such tribunals are presided over by special judges with health care expertise; (B) provide authority to such judges to make binding rulings, rendered in written decisions, on standards of care, causation, compensation, and related issues with reliance on independent expert witnesses commissioned by the tribunal; (C) establish gross negligence as the legal standard for the tribunal; (D) allow the admission into evidence of the recommendation made by the expert panel under subsection (d); and (E) provide for an appeals process to allow for review of decisions by State courts. (f) Review by State court after exhaustion of administrative remedies (1) Right to file If any party to a dispute before a health care tribunal under subsection (e) is not satisfied with the determinations of the tribunal, the party shall have the right to file their claim in a State court of competent jurisdiction. (2) Forfeit of awards Any party filing an action in a State court in accordance with paragraph (1) shall forfeit any compensation award made under subsection (e). (3) Admissibility The determinations of the expert panel and the administrative health care tribunal pursuant to subsections (d) and (e) with respect to a State court proceeding under paragraph (1) shall be admissible into evidence in any such State court proceeding. (g) Definition In this section, the term health care provider (h) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated for any fiscal year such sums as may be necessary for purposes of making grants to States under this section. . 503. Authorization of payment of future damages to claimants in health care lawsuits (a) In general In any health care lawsuit, if an award of future damages, without reduction to present value, equaling or exceeding $50,000 is made against a party with sufficient insurance or other assets to fund a periodic payment of such a judgment, the court shall, at the request of any party, enter a judgment ordering that the future damages be paid by periodic payments, in accordance with the Uniform Periodic Payment of Judgments Act (b) Applicability This section applies to all actions which have not been first set for trial or retrial before the effective date of this title. 504. Definitions In this title: (1) Alternative dispute resolution system; ADR The term alternative dispute resolution system ADR (2) Claimant The term claimant (3) Federal tax benefit A claimant shall be treated as receiving a Federal tax benefit with respect to payment for items or services if— (A) such payment is compensation by insurance— (i) which constitutes medical care, and (ii) with respect to the payment of premiums for which the claimant, or the employer of the claimant, was allowed an exclusion from gross income, a deduction, or a credit for Federal income tax purposes, (B) a deduction was allowed with respect to such payment for Federal income tax purposes, or (C) such payment was from an Archer MSA (as defined in section 220(d) (4) Health care lawsuit The term health care lawsuit (5) Health care liability action The term health care liability action (6) Health care liability claim The term health care liability claim (7) Health care organization The term health care organization (8) Health care provider The term health care provider (9) Health care goods or services The term health care goods or services (10) Medical product The term medical product drug device biological product 21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1) 42 U.S.C. 262(a) (11) Medical treatment The term medical treatment (12) Recovery The term recovery (13) State The term State 505. Effect on other laws (a) Vaccine Injury (1) To the extent that title XXI of the Public Health Service Act establishes a Federal rule of law applicable to a civil action brought for a vaccine-related injury or death— (A) this title does not affect the application of the rule of law to such an action; and (B) any rule of law prescribed by this title in conflict with a rule of law of such title XXI shall not apply to such action. (2) If there is an aspect of a civil action brought for a vaccine-related injury or death to which a Federal rule of law under title XXI of the Public Health Service Act does not apply, then this title or otherwise applicable law (as determined under this title) will apply to such aspect of such action. (b) Other federal law Except as provided in this section, nothing in this title shall be deemed to affect any defense available to a defendant in a health care lawsuit or action under any other provision of Federal law. 506. Applicability; effective date This title shall apply to any health care lawsuit brought in a Federal or State court, or subject to an alternative dispute resolution system, that is initiated on or after the date of the enactment of this title, except that any health care lawsuit arising from an injury occurring prior to the date of the enactment of this title shall be governed by the applicable statute of limitations provisions in effect at the time the injury occurred. VI Wellness and Prevention 601. Providing financial incentives for treatment compliance (a) Limitation on exception for wellness programs under HIPAA discrimination rules (1) Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 amendment Section 702(b)(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( 29 U.S.C. 1182(b)(2) In applying subparagraph (B), a group health plan (or a health insurance issuer with respect to health insurance coverage) may vary premiums and cost-sharing by up to 50 percent of the value of the benefits under the plan (or coverage) based on participation (or lack of participation) in a standards-based wellness program. . (2) PHSA amendment Section 2702(b)(2) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300gg–1(b)(2) In applying subparagraph (B), a group health plan (or a health insurance issuer with respect to health insurance coverage) may vary premiums and cost-sharing by up to 50 percent of the value of the benefits under the plan (or coverage) based on participation (or lack of participation) in a standards-based wellness program. . (3) IRC amendment Section 9802(b)(2) In applying subparagraph (B), a group health plan may vary premiums and cost-sharing by up to 50 percent of the value of the benefits under the plan based on participation (or lack of participation) in a standards-based wellness program. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to plan years beginning more than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act. VII Transparency and Insurance Reform Measures 701. Receipt and response to requests for claim information (a) In general Title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 2713 the following new section: 2714. Receipt and response to requests for claim information (a) Requirement (1) In general In the case of health insurance coverage offered in connection with a group health plan, not later than the 30th day after the date a health insurance issuer receives a written request for a written report of claim information from the plan, plan sponsor, or plan administrator, the health insurance issuer shall provide the requesting party the report, subject to the succeeding provisions of this section. (2) Exception The health insurance issuer is not obligated to provide a report under this subsection regarding a particular employer or group health plan more than twice in any 12-month period and is not obligated to provide such a report in the case of an employer with fewer than 50 employees. (3) Deadline A plan, plan sponsor, or plan administrator must request a report under this subsection before or on the second anniversary of the date of termination of coverage under a group health plan issued by the health insurance issuer. (b) Form of report; information To be included (1) In general A health insurance issuer shall provide the report of claim information under subsection (a)— (A) in a written report; (B) through an electronic file transmitted by secure electronic mail or a file transfer protocol site; or (C) by making the required information available through a secure Web site or Web portal accessible by the requesting plan, plan sponsor, or plan administrator. (2) Information to be included A report of claim information provided under subsection (a) shall contain all information available to the health insurance issuer that is responsive to the request made under such subsection, including, subject to subsection (c), protected health information, for the 36-month period preceding the date of the report or the period specified by subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F) of paragraph (3), if applicable, or for the entire period of coverage, whichever period is shorter. (3) Required information Subject to subsection (c), a report provided under subsection (a) shall include the following: (A) Aggregate paid claims experience by month, including claims experience for medical, dental, and pharmacy benefits, as applicable. (B) Total premium paid by month. (C) Total number of covered employees on a monthly basis by coverage tier, including whether coverage was for— (i) an employee only; (ii) an employee with dependents only; (iii) an employee with a spouse only; or (iv) an employee with a spouse and dependents. (D) The total dollar amount of claims pending as of the date of the report. (E) A separate description and individual claims report for any individual whose total paid claims exceed $15,000 during the 12-month period preceding the date of the report, including the following information related to the claims for that individual— (i) a unique identifying number, characteristic, or code for the individual; (ii) the amounts paid; (iii) dates of service; and (iv) applicable procedure codes and diagnosis codes. (F) For claims that are not part of the information described in a previous subparagraph, a statement describing precertification requests for hospital stays of 5 days or longer that were made during the 30-day period preceding the date of the report. (c) Limitations on disclosure (1) In general A health insurance issuer may not disclose protected health information in a report of claim information provided under this section if the health insurance issuer is prohibited from disclosing that information under another State or Federal law that imposes more stringent privacy restrictions than those imposed under Federal law under the HIPAA privacy regulations. To withhold information in accordance with this subsection, the health insurance issuer must— (A) notify the plan, plan sponsor, or plan administrator requesting the report that information is being withheld; and (B) provide to the plan, plan sponsor, or plan administrator a list of categories of claim information that the health insurance issuer has determined are subject to the more stringent privacy restrictions under another State or Federal law. (2) Protection A plan sponsor is entitled to receive protected health information under subparagraph (E) and (F) of subsection (b)(3) and subsection (d) only after an appropriately authorized representative of the plan sponsor makes to the health insurance issuer a certification substantially similar to the following certification: I hereby certify that the plan documents comply with the requirements of section 164.504(f)(2) (3) Results A plan sponsor that does not provide the certification required by paragraph (2) is not entitled to receive the protected health information described by subparagraphs (E) and (F) of subsection (b)(3) and subsection (d), but is entitled to receive a report of claim information that includes the information described by subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection (b)(3). (4) Information In the case of a request made under subsection (a) after the date of termination of coverage, the report must contain all information available to the health insurance issuer as of the date of the report that is responsive to the request, including protected health information, and including the information described by subsection (b)(3), for the period described by subsection (b)(2) preceding the date of termination of coverage or for the entire policy period, whichever period is shorter. Notwithstanding this subsection, the report may not include the protected health information described by subparagraphs (E) and (F) of subsection (b)(3) unless a certification has been provided in accordance with paragraph (2). (d) Request for additional information (1) Review On receipt of the report required by subsection (a), the plan, plan sponsor, or plan administrator may review the report and, not later than the 10th day after the date the report is received, may make a written request to the health insurance issuer for additional information in accordance with this subsection for specified individuals. (2) Request With respect to a request for additional information concerning specified individuals for whom claims information has been provided under subsection (b)(3)(E), the health insurance issuer shall provide additional information on the prognosis or recovery if available and, for individuals in active case management, the most recent case management information, including any future expected costs and treatment plan, that relate to the claims for that individual. (3) Response The health insurance issuer must respond to the request for additional information under this subsection not later than the 15th day after the date of such request unless the requesting plan, plan sponsor, or plan administrator agrees to a request for additional time. (4) Limitation The health insurance issuer is not required to produce the report described by this subsection unless a certification has been provided in accordance with subsection (c)(2). (5) Compliance with section does not create liability A health insurance issuer that releases information, including protected health information, in accordance with this subsection has not violated a standard of care and is not liable for civil damages resulting from, and is not subject to criminal prosecution for, releasing that information. (e) Limitation on preemption Nothing in this section is meant to limit States from enacting additional laws in addition to the provisions of this section, but not in lieu of such provisions. (f) Definitions In this section: (1) The terms employer plan administrator plan sponsor (2) The term HIPAA privacy regulations (3) The term protected health information . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. VIII Quality 801. Prohibition on certain uses of data obtained from comparative effectiveness research or from patient-centered outcomes research; accounting for personalized medicine and differences in patient treatment response (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services— (1) shall not use data obtained from the conduct of comparative effectiveness research or patient-centered outcomes research, including such research that is conducted or supported using funds appropriated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ( Public Law 111–5 (2) shall ensure that comparative effectiveness research and patient-centered outcomes research conducted or supported by the Federal Government accounts for factors contributing to differences in the treatment response and treatment preferences of patients, including patient-reported outcomes, genomics and personalized medicine, the unique needs of health disparity populations, and indirect patient benefits. (b) Consultation and approval required Nothing the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research finds can be released in final form until after consultation with and approved by relevant physician specialty organizations. (c) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the authority of the Commissioner of Food and Drugs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or the Public Health Service Act. 802. Establishment of performance-based quality measures Not later than January 1, 2014, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to Congress a proposal for a formalized process for the development of performance-based quality measures that could be applied to physicians’ services under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act. Such proposal shall be in concert and agreement with the Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement and shall only utilize measures agreed upon by each physician specialty organization. IX State Transparency Plan Portal 901. Providing information on health coverage options and health care providers (a) State-Based portal A State (by itself or jointly with other States) may contract with a private entity to establish a Health Plan and Provider Portal Web site (referred to in this section as a plan portal (1) on health insurance plans that have been certified to be available for purchase in that State; and (2) on price and quality information on health care providers (including physicians, hospitals, and other health care institutions). (b) Prohibitions (1) Direct Enrollment A plan portal may not directly enroll individuals in health insurance plans or under a State Medicaid plan or a State children’s health insurance plan. (2) Conflicts of interest (A) Companies A health insurance issuer offering a health insurance plan through a plan portal may not— (i) be the private entity developing and maintaining a plan portal under this section; or (ii) have an ownership interest in such private entity or in the plan portal. (B) Individuals An individual employed by a health insurance issuer offering a health insurance plan through a plan portal may not serve as a director or officer for— (i) the private entity developing and maintaining a plan portal under this section; or (ii) the plan portal. (c) Construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit health insurance brokers and agents from— (1) utilizing the plan portal for any purpose; or (2) marketing or offering health insurance products. (d) State defined In this section, the term State (e) Health insurance plans For purposes of this section, the term health insurance plan 42 U.S.C. 300gg–91(c) X Patient Freedom of Choice 1001. Guaranteeing freedom of choice and contracting for patients under Medicare (a) In general Section 1802 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395a 1802. Freedom of choice and contracting by patient guaranteed (a) Basic freedom of choice Any individual entitled to insurance benefits under this title may obtain health services from any institution, agency, or person qualified to participate under this title if such institution, agency, or person undertakes to provide that individual such services. (b) Freedom To contract by Medicare beneficiaries (1) In general Subject to the provisions of this subsection, nothing in this title shall prohibit a Medicare beneficiary from entering into a contract with an eligible professional (whether or not the professional is a participating or non-participating physician or practitioner) for any item or service covered under this title. (2) Submission of claims Any Medicare beneficiary that enters into a contract under this section with an eligible professional shall be permitted to submit a claim for payment under this title for services furnished by such professional, and such payment shall be made in the amount that would otherwise apply to such professional under this title except that where such professional is considered to be non-participating, payment shall be paid as if the professional were participating. Payment made under this title for any item or service provided under the contract shall not render the professional a participating or non-participating physician or practitioner, and as such, requirements of this title that may otherwise apply to a participating or non-participating physician or practitioner would not apply with respect to any items or services furnished under the contract. (3) Beneficiary protections (A) In general Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any contract unless— (i) the contract is in writing, is signed by the Medicare beneficiary and the eligible professional, and establishes all terms of the contract (including specific payment for items and services covered by the contract) before any item or service is provided pursuant to the contract, and the beneficiary shall be held harmless for any subsequent payment charged for an item or service in excess of the amount established under the contract during the period the contract is in effect; (ii) the contract contains the items described in subparagraph (B); and (iii) the contract is not entered into at a time when the Medicare beneficiary is facing an emergency medical condition or urgent health care situation. (B) Items required to be included in contract Any contract to provide items and services to which paragraph (1) applies shall clearly indicate to the Medicare beneficiary that by signing such contract the beneficiary— (i) agrees to be responsible for payment to such eligible professional for such items or services under the terms of and amounts established under the contract; (ii) agrees to be responsible for submitting claims under this title to the Secretary, and to any other supplemental insurance plan that may provide supplemental insurance, for such items or services furnished under the contract if such items or services are covered by this title, unless otherwise provided in the contract under subparagraph (C)(i); and (iii) acknowledges that no limits or other payment incentives that may otherwise apply under this title (such as the limits under subsection (g) of section 1848 or incentives under subsection (a)(5), (m), (q), and (p) of such section) shall apply to amounts that may be charged, or paid to a beneficiary for, such items or services. Such contract shall also clearly indicate whether the eligible professional is excluded from participation under the Medicare program under section 1128. (C) Beneficiary elections under the contract Any Medicare beneficiary that enters into a contract under this section may elect to negotiate, as a term of the contract, a provision under which— (i) the eligible professional shall file claims on behalf of the beneficiary with the Secretary and any supplemental insurance plan for items or services furnished under the contract if such items or services are covered under this title or under the plan; and (ii) the beneficiary assigns payment to the eligible professional for any claims filed by, or on behalf of, the beneficiary with the Secretary and any supplemental insurance plan for items or services furnished under the contract. (D) Exclusion of dual eligible individuals Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any contract if a beneficiary who is eligible for medical assistance under title XIX is a party to the contract. (4) Limitation on actual charge and claim submission requirement not applicable Section 1848(g) shall not apply with respect to any item or service provided to a Medicare beneficiary under a contract described in paragraph (1). (5) Construction Nothing in this section shall be construed— (A) to prohibit any eligible professional from maintaining an election and acting as a participating or non-participating physician or practitioner with respect to any patient not covered under a contract established under this section; and (B) as changing the items and services for which an eligible professional may bill under this title. (6) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Medicare beneficiary The term Medicare beneficiary (B) Eligible professional The term eligible professional (C) Emergency medical condition The term emergency medical condition (i) serious jeopardy to the health of the individual or, in the case of a pregnant woman, the health of the woman or her unborn child; (ii) serious impairment to bodily functions; or (iii) serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part. (D) Urgent health care situation The term urgent health care situation . 1002. Preemption of State laws limiting charges for eligible professional services (a) In general No State may impose a limit on the amount of charges for services, furnished by an eligible professional (as defined in subsection (k)(3)(B) of section 1848 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 1395w–4 (b) State In this section, the term State 1003. Health care provider licensure cannot be conditioned on participation in a health plan (a) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services and any State (as a condition of receiving Federal financial participation under title XIX of the Social Security Act) may not require any health care provider to participate in any health plan as a condition of licensure of the provider in any State. (b) Definitions In this section: (1) Health plan The term health plan 42 U.S.C. 1320d(5) (2) Health care provider The term health care provider (3) State The term State 1004. Bad debt deduction for doctors to partially offset the cost of providing uncompensated care required to be provided under amendments made by the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (a) In general Section 166 (f) Bad debt treatment for doctors To partially offset cost of providing uncompensated care required To be provided (1) Amount of deduction (A) In general For purposes of subsection (a), the basis for determining the amount of any deduction for an eligible EMTALA debt shall be treated as being equal to the Medicare payment amount. (B) Medicare payment amount For purposes of subparagraph (A), the Medicare payment amount with respect to an eligible EMTALA debt is the fee schedule amount established under section 1848 of the Social Security Act for the physicians’ service (to which such debt relates) as if the service were provided to an individual enrolled under part B of title XVIII of such Act. (2) Eligible EMTALA debt For purposes of this section, the term eligible EMTALA debt (A) such debt arose as a result of physicians’ services— (i) which were performed in an EMTALA hospital by a board-certified physician (whether as part of medical screening or necessary stabilizing treatment and whether as an emergency department physician, as an on-call physician, or otherwise), and (ii) which were required to be provided under section 1867 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395dd (B) such debt is owed— (i) to such physician, or (ii) to an entity if— (I) such entity is a corporation and the sole shareholder of such corporation is such physician, or (II) such entity is a partnership and any deduction under this subsection with respect to such debt is allocated to such physician or to an entity described in subclause (I). (3) Board-certified physician For purposes of this subsection, the term board-certified physician 42 U.S.C. 1395x(r) (4) Other definitions For purposes of this subsection— (A) EMTALA hospital The term EMTALA hospital 42 U.S.C. 1395dd (B) Physicians’ services The term physicians’ services 42 U.S.C. 1395x(q) . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to debts arising from services performed in taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. 1005. Right of contract with health care providers (a) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall not preclude an enrollee, participant, or beneficiary in a health benefits plan from entering into any contract or arrangement for health care with any health care provider. (b) Health benefits plan defined (1) In general In this section, subject to paragraph (2), the term health benefits plan (A) Group health plan (as defined in section 2791 of the Public Health Service Act). (B) Health insurance coverage (as defined in section 2791 of such Act). (C) A health benefits plan under chapter 89 (2) Exclusion of Medicaid and Tricare Such term does not include a health plan participating in— (A) the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act; or (B) the TRICARE program under chapter 55 (c) Health care provider defined In this section, the term health care provider (1) a physician, as defined in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of section 1861(r) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395x(r) (2) a health care practitioner described in section 1842(b)(18)(C) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)(18)(C) XI Incentives to reduce physician shortages A Federally Supported Student Loan Funds for Medical Students 1101. Federally supported student loan funds for medical students (a) Primary health care medical students Subpart II of part A of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 292q et seq. (1) by redesignating section 735 as section 729; and (2) in subsection (f) of section 729 (as so redesignated), by striking is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1994 through 1996 are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014 and each fiscal year thereafter (b) Other medical students Part A of title VII of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 292 et seq. III Federally Supported Student Loan Funds for Certain Medical Students 730. School loan funds for certain medical students (a) Fund agreements For the purpose described in subsection (b), the Secretary is authorized to enter into an agreement for the establishment and operation of a student loan fund with any public or nonprofit school of medicine or osteopathic medicine. (b) Purpose The purpose of this subpart is to provide for loans to medical students who would be eligible for a loan under subpart II, except for the student’s decision to enter a residency training program in a field other than primary health care. (c) Commencement of repayment period The repayment period for a loan under this section shall not begin before the end of any period during which the student is participating in an internship, residency, or fellowship training program directly related to the field of medicine which the student agrees to enter pursuant to subsection (d). (d) Requirements for students Each agreement under this section for the establishment of a student loan fund shall provide that the school of medicine or osteopathic medicine will make a loan to a student from such fund only if the student agrees— (1) to enter and complete a residency training program (in a field of medicine other than primary health care) not later than a period determined by the Secretary to be reasonable after the date on which the student graduates from such school; and (2) to practice medicine through the date on which the loan is repaid in full. (e) Requirements for schools The provisions of section 723(b) (regarding graduates in primary health care) shall not apply to a student loan fund established under this section. (f) Applicability of other provisions Except as inconsistent with this section, the provisions of subpart II shall apply to the program of student loan funds established under this section to the same extent and in the same manner as such provisions apply to the program of student loan funds established under subpart II. (g) Authorization of appropriations To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014 and each fiscal year thereafter. . B Loan Forgiveness for Primary Care Providers 1111. Loan forgiveness for primary care providers (a) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall carry out a program of entering into contracts with eligible individuals under which— (1) the individual agrees to serve for a period of not less than 5 years as a primary care provider; and (2) in consideration of such service, the Secretary agrees to pay not more than $50,000 on the principal and interest on the individual’s graduate educational loans. (b) Eligibility To be eligible to enter into a contract under subsection (a), an individual must— (1) have a graduate degree in medicine, osteopathic medicine, or another health profession from an accredited (as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) institution of higher education; and (2) have practiced as a primary care provider for a period (excluding any residency or fellowship training period) of not less than— (A) 5 years; or (B) 3 years in a medically underserved community (as defined in section 799B of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 295p (c) Installments Payments under this section may be made in installments of not more than $10,000 for each year of service described in subsection (a)(1). (d) Applicability of certain provisions The provisions of subpart III of part D of title III of the Public Health Service Act shall, except as inconsistent with this section, apply to the program established under this section in the same manner and to the same extent as such provisions apply to the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program established in such subpart. XII Quality Health Care Coalition 1201. Quality Health Care Coalition (a) Application of the Federal antitrust laws to health care professionals negotiating with health plans (1) In general Any health care professionals who are engaged in negotiations with a health plan regarding the terms of any contract under which the professionals provide health care items or services for which benefits are provided under such plan shall, in connection with such negotiations, be exempt from the Federal antitrust laws. (2) Limitation (A) No new right for collective cessation of service The exemption provided in paragraph (1) shall not confer any new right to participate in any collective cessation of service to patients not already permitted by existing law. (B) No change in National Labor Relations Act This section applies only to health care professionals excluded from the National Labor Relations Act. Nothing in this section shall be construed as changing or amending any provision of the National Labor Relations Act, or as affecting the status of any group of persons under that Act. (3) No application to Federal programs Nothing in this section shall apply to negotiations between health care professionals and health plans pertaining to benefits provided under any of the following: (A) The Medicare Program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act 42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq. (B) The Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. (C) The SCHIP program under title XXI of the Social Security Act 42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq. (D) Chapter 55 (E) Chapter 17 (F) Chapter 89 (G) The Indian Health Care Improvement Act 25 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. (b) Definitions In this section, the following definitions shall apply: (1) Antitrust laws The term antitrust laws (A) has the meaning given it in subsection (a) of the first section of the Clayton Act 15 U.S.C. 12(a) Federal Trade Commission Act 15 U.S.C. 45 (B) includes any State law similar to the laws referred to in subparagraph (A). (2) Group health plan The term group health plan (3) Group health plan, health insurance issuer The terms group health plan health insurance issuer (4) Health care services The term health care services (5) Health care professional The term health care professional (6) Health insurance coverage The term health insurance coverage (7) Health insurance issuer The term health insurance issuer (8) Health maintenance organization The term health maintenance organization (A) a federally qualified health maintenance organization (as defined in section 1301(a) of the Public Health Service Act 42 U.S.C. 300e(a) (B) an organization recognized under State law as a health maintenance organization; or (C) a similar organization regulated under State law for solvency in the same manner and to the same extent as such a health maintenance organization. (9) Health plan The term health plan (10) Medical care The term medical care (A) the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or amounts paid for the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body; and (B) transportation primarily for and essential to receiving items and services referred to in subparagraph (A). (11) Person The term person (12) State The term State (c) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall not apply with respect to conduct occurring before such date. XIII Offsets A Discretionary spending limits 1301. Discretionary spending limits The Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended by section 101 of the Budget Control Act of 2011, is amended— (1) in section 251(c) ( 2 U.S.C. 901(c) (A) by striking and (B) by inserting after paragraph (10) the following: (11) with respect to fiscal year 2022— (A) for the security category, $662,562,510,000 in budget authority; and (B) for the nonsecurity category, $496,727,490,000 in budget authority; and (12) with respect to fiscal year 2023— (A) for the security category, $689,704,290,000 in budget authority; and (B) for the nonsecurity category, $495,325,710,000; ; and (2) in section 251A(2) ( 2 U.S.C. 901a(2) (A) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking $510,000,000,000 $410,231,250,000 (B) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking $520,000,000,000 $424,377,360,000 (C) in subparagraph (D)(ii), by striking $530,000,000,000 $434,464,470,000 (D) in subparagraph (E)(ii), by striking $541,000,000,000 $445,368,000,000 (E) in subparagraph (F)(ii), by striking $553,000,000,000 $457,649,280,000 (F) in subparagraph (G)(ii), by striking $566,000,000,000 $472,098,360,000 (G) in subparagraph (H)(ii), by striking $578,000,000,000 $485,466,300,000 (H) in subparagraph (I)(ii), by striking $590,000,000,000 $498,094,740,000 B Savings from health care efficiencies 1311. Medicare DSH report and payment adjustments in response to coverage expansion (a) DSH report (1) In general Not later than January 1, 2018, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to Congress a report on Medicare DSH taking into account the impact of the health care reforms carried out under this Act in reducing the number of uninsured individuals. The report shall include recommendations relating to the following: (A) The appropriate amount, targeting, and distribution of Medicare DSH to compensate for higher Medicare costs associated with serving low-income beneficiaries (taking into account variations in the empirical justification for Medicare DSH attributable to hospital characteristics, including bed size), consistent with the original intent of Medicare DSH. (B) The appropriate amount, targeting, and distribution of Medicare DSH to hospitals given their continued uncompensated care costs, to the extent such costs remain. (2) Coordination with Medicaid DSH report The Secretary shall coordinate the report under this subsection with the report on Medicaid DSH under section 1322(a). (b) Payment adjustments in response to coverage expansion (1) In general If there is a significant decrease in the national rate of uninsurance as a result of this Act (as determined under paragraph (2)(A)), then the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, beginning in fiscal year 2019, implement the following adjustments to Medicare DSH: (A) In lieu of the amount of Medicare DSH payment that would otherwise be made under section 1886(d)(5)(F) of the Social Security Act, the amount of Medicare DSH payment shall be an amount based on the recommendations of the report under subsection (a)(1)(A) and shall take into account variations in the empirical justification for Medicare DSH attributable to hospital characteristics, including bed size. (B) Subject to paragraph (3), make an additional payment to a hospital by an amount that is estimated based on the amount of uncompensated care provided by the hospital based on criteria for uncompensated care as determined by the Secretary, which shall exclude bad debt. (2) Significant decrease in national rate of uninsurance as a result of this Act For purposes of this subsection— (A) In general There is a significant decrease in the national rate of uninsurance as a result of this Act (B) National rate of uninsurance defined The term national rate of uninsurance (3) Uncompensated care increase (A) Computation of DSH savings For each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2017), the Secretary shall estimate the aggregate reduction in Medicare DSH that will result from the adjustment under paragraph (1)(A). (B) Structure of payment increase The Secretary shall compute the increase in Medicare DSH under paragraph (1)(B) for a fiscal year in accordance with a formula established by the Secretary that provides that— (i) the aggregate amount of such increase for the fiscal year does not exceed 50 percent of the aggregate reduction in Medicare DSH estimated by the Secretary for such fiscal year; and (ii) hospitals with higher levels of uncompensated care receive a greater increase. (c) Medicare DSH In this section, the term Medicare DSH 42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(5)(F) 1312. Reduction in Medicaid DSH (a) Report (1) In general Not later than January 1, 2018, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this title referred to as the Secretary (2) Matters to be included The report shall include the following: (A) Recommendations Recommendations regarding— (i) the appropriate targeting of Medicaid DSH within States; and (ii) the distribution of Medicaid DSH among the States. (B) Specification of DSH Health Reform methodology The DSH Health Reform methodology described in paragraph (2) of subsection (b) for purposes of implementing the requirements of such subsection. (3) Coordination with Medicare DSH report The Secretary shall coordinate the report under this subsection with the report on Medicare DSH under section 1321. (4) Medicaid DSH In this section, the term Medicaid DSH (b) Medicaid DSH reductions (1) In general If there is a significant decrease in the national rate of uninsurance as a result of this Act (as determined under section 1321(a)(2)(A)), then the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall reduce Medicaid DSH so as to reduce total Federal payments to all States for such purpose by $1,500,000,000 in fiscal year 2019, $2,500,000,000 in fiscal year 2020, and $6,000,000,000 in fiscal year 2021. (2) DSH Health Reform methodology The Secretary shall carry out paragraph (1) through use of a DSH Health Reform methodology issued by the Secretary that imposes the largest percentage reductions on the States that— (A) have the lowest percentages of uninsured individuals (determined on the basis of audited hospital cost reports) during the most recent year for which such data are available; or (B) do not target their DSH payments on— (i) hospitals with high volumes of Medicaid inpatients (as defined in section 1923(b)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396r–4(b)(1)(A) (ii) hospitals that have high levels of uncompensated care (excluding bad debt). (3) DSH allotment publications (A) In general Not later than the publication deadline specified in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a notice specifying the DSH allotment to each State under 1923(f) of the Social Security Act for the respective fiscal year specified in such subparagraph, consistent with the application of the DSH Health Reform methodology described in paragraph (2). (B) Publication deadline The publication deadline specified in this subparagraph is— (i) January 1, 2018, with respect to DSH allotments described in subparagraph (A) for fiscal year 2019; (ii) January 1, 2019, with respect to DSH allotments described in subparagraph (A) for fiscal year 2020; and (iii) January 1, 2020, with respect to DSH allotments described in subparagraph (A) for fiscal year 2021. (c) Conforming amendments (1) Section 1923(f) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396r–4(f) (A) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and (B) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new paragraph: (7) Special rule for fiscal years 2019, 2020, and 2021 Notwithstanding paragraph (2), if the Secretary makes a reduction under section 1322(b)(1) of the Empowering Patients First Act of 2013 (A) fiscal year 2019, shall be the total DSH allotments that would otherwise be determined under this subsection for such fiscal year decreased by $1,500,000,000; (B) fiscal year 2020, shall be the total DSH allotments that would otherwise be determined under this subsection for such fiscal year decreased by $2,500,000,000; and (C) fiscal year 2021, shall be the total DSH allotments that would otherwise be determined under this subsection for such fiscal year decreased by $6,000,000,000. . (2) Section 1923(b)(4) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396r–4(b)(4) or to affect the authority of the Secretary to issue and implement the DSH Health Reform methodology under section 1322(b)(2) of the Empowering Patients First Act of 2013 (d) Disproportionate share hospitals (DSH) and essential access hospital (EAH) non-Discrimination (1) In general Section 1923(d) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396r–4 (4) No hospital may be defined or deemed as a disproportionate share hospital, or as an essential access hospital (for purposes of subsection (f)(6)(A)(iv)), under a State plan under this title or subsection (b) of this section (including any waiver under section 1115) unless the hospital— (A) provides services to beneficiaries under this title without discrimination on the ground of race, color, national origin, creed, source of payment, status as a beneficiary under this title, or any other ground unrelated to such beneficiary’s need for the services or the availability of the needed services in the hospital; and (B) makes arrangements for, and accepts, reimbursement under this title for services provided to eligible beneficiaries under this title. . (2) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall be apply to expenditures made on or after July 1, 2014. C Fraud, Waste, and Abuse 1321. Provide adequate funding to HHS OIG and HCFAC (a) HCFAC funding Section 1817(k)(3)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395i(k)(3)(A) (1) in clause (i)— (A) in subclause (III), by striking at the end and (B) in subclause (IV)— (i) by inserting and before fiscal year 2014 for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2006 (ii) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new subclause: (V) for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2013, $300,000,000. ; and (2) in clause (ii)— (A) in subclause (VIII), by striking at the end and (B) in subclause (IX)— (i) by inserting and before fiscal year 2014 for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2007 (ii) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new subclause: (X) for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2013, not less than the amount required under this clause for fiscal year 2013, plus the amount by which the amount made available under clause (i)(V) for fiscal year 2014 exceeds the amount made available under clause (i)(IV) for fiscal year 2013. . (b) OIG funding There are authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023 $100,000,000 for the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services for fraud prevention activities under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. 1322. Improved enforcement of the Medicare secondary payor provisions (a) In general The Secretary, in coordination with the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, shall provide through the Coordination of Benefits Contractor for the identification of instances where the Medicare program should be, but is not, acting as a secondary payer to an individual’s private health benefits coverage under section 1862(b) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395y(b) (b) Updating procedures The Secretary shall update procedures for identifying and resolving credit balance situations which occur under the Medicare program when payment under such title and from other health benefit plans exceed the providers’ charges or the allowed amount. (c) Report on improved enforcement Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on progress made in improved enforcement of the Medicare secondary payor provisions, including recoupment of credit balances. 1323. Strengthen Medicare provider enrollment standards and safeguards (a) Strengthening Medicare provider numbers (1) Screening new providers As a condition of a provider of services or a supplier, including durable medical equipment suppliers and home health agencies, applying for the first time for a provider number under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act and before granting billing privileges under such title, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the Secretary (2) Application fees The Secretary shall impose an application charge on such a provider or supplier in order to cover the Secretary’s costs in performing the screening required under paragraph (1). (3) Provisional approval During an initial, provisional period (specified by the Secretary) in which such a provider or supplier has been issued such a number, the Secretary shall provide enhanced oversight of the activities of such provider or supplier under the Medicare program, such as through prepayment review and payment limitations. (4) Penalties for false statements In the case of a provider or supplier that knowingly makes a false statement in an application for such a number, the Secretary may exclude the provider or supplier from participation under the Medicare program, or may impose a civil money penalty (in the amount described in section 1128A(a)(4) of the Social Security Act), in the same manner as the Secretary may impose such an exclusion or penalty under sections 1128 and 1128A, respectively, of such Act in the case of knowing presentation of a false claim described in section 1128A(a)(1)(A) of such Act. (5) Disclosure requirements With respect to approval of such an application, the Secretary— (A) shall require applicants to disclose previous affiliation with enrolled entities that have uncollected debt related to the Medicare or Medicaid programs; (B) may deny approval if the Secretary determines that these affiliations pose undue risk to the Medicare or Medicaid program, subject to an appeals process for the applicant as determined by the Secretary; and (C) may implement enhanced safeguards (such as surety bonds). (b) Moratoria The Secretary may impose moratoria on approval of provider and supplier numbers under the Medicare program for new providers of services and suppliers as determined necessary to prevent or combat fraud a period of delay for any one applicant cannot exceed 30 days unless cause is shown by the Secretary. (c) Funding There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary. 1324. Tracking banned providers across State lines (a) Greater coordination The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary CMS (b) Improved information systems (1) In general The Secretary shall improve information systems to allow greater integration between databases under the Medicare program so that— (A) Medicare administrative contractors, fiscal intermediaries, and carriers have immediate access to information identifying providers and suppliers excluded from participation in the Medicare and Medicaid program and other Federal health care programs; and (B) such information can be shared across Federal health care programs and agencies, including between the Departments of Health and Human Services, the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, and the Office of Personnel Management. (c) Medicare/Medicaid One PI The Secretary shall implement a database that includes claims and payment data for all components of the Medicare program and the Medicaid program. (d) Authorizing expanded data matching Notwithstanding any provision of the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 to the contrary— (1) the Secretary and the Inspector General in the Department of Health and Human Services may perform data matching of data from the Medicare program with data from the Medicaid program; and (2) the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary may perform data matching of data of the Social Security Administration with data from the Medicare and Medicaid programs. (e) Consolidation of databases The Secretary shall consolidate and expand into a centralized database for individuals and entities that have been excluded from Federal health care programs the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank, the National Practitioner Data Bank, the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities, and a national patient abuse/neglect registry. (f) Comprehensive provider database (1) Establishment The Secretary shall establish a comprehensive database that includes information on providers of services, suppliers, and related entities participating in the Medicare program, the Medicaid program, or both. Such database shall include, information on ownership and business relationships, history of adverse actions, results of site visits or other monitoring by any program. (2) Use Prior to issuing a provider or supplier number for an entity under the Medicare program, the Secretary shall obtain information on the entity from such database to assure the entity qualifies for the issuance of such a number. (g) Comprehensive sanctions database The Secretary shall establish a comprehensive sanctions database on sanctions imposed on providers of services, suppliers, and related entities. Such database shall be overseen by the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services and shall be linked to related databases maintained by State licensure boards and by Federal or State law enforcement agencies. (h) Access to claims and payment databases The Secretary shall ensure that the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services and Federal law enforcement agencies have direct access to all claims and payment databases of the Secretary under the Medicare or Medicaid programs. (i) Civil money penalties for submission of erroneous information In the case of a provider of services, supplier, or other entity that knowingly submits erroneous information that serves as a basis for payment of any entity under the Medicare or Medicaid program, the Secretary may impose a civil money penalty of not to exceed $50,000 for each such erroneous submission. A civil money penalty under this subsection shall be imposed and collected in the same manner as a civil money penalty under subsection (a) of section 1128A of the Social Security Act is imposed and collected under that section.

Summary: Empowering Patients First Act of 2013 - Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and&nbsp;the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education and Reconciliation Act of 2010, effective as of their enactment. Restores or revives provisions amended or repealed by&nbsp;such Act or such health care provisions. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable tax credit for the cost of qualified health insurance costs for low-income taxpayers and a tax deduction for such costs for other taxpayers. Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment and governance of individual and small employer membership associations (IMAs) to make health benefits coverage available to IMA members and their dependents. Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2013 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for establishment and governance of association health plans, which are group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations and which meet certain ERISA certification requirements. Directs that the laws of the state designated by a health insurance issuer (primary state) shall apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that issuer in the primary state and in any other state (secondary state), but only if the coverage and issuer comply with conditions of this Act. Amends title XXI (Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) require a state CHIP plan to specify how it will achieve coverage for 90% of targeted low-income children; and (2) prohibit CHIP payments for children with family income above 300% of the applicable poverty line. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue best practice guidelines for the treatment of medical conditions. Sets forth how such guidelines may be used in a health care lawsuit. Permits a group health plan to vary premiums and cost-sharing by up to 50% of the benefits based on participation (or lack of participation) in a wellness program. Requires a health insurance issuer to provide claims information, on request, to a plan, plan sponsor, or plan administrator. Prohibits the Secretary from using comparative effectiveness research or patient-centered outcomes research to deny coverage of an item or service under a federal health care program. Authorizes a state to establish a Health Plan and Provider Portal website to standardize information on health insurance plans available in the state. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of SSA to permit Medicare beneficiaries to contract with a physician or practitioner for health care items or services. Prohibits states from imposing limits on the amount of charges for health care services furnished by an eligible professional. Sets forth provisions regarding students loans and loan repayment for health care professionals. Exempts health care professionals from federal and state antitrust laws in connection with negotiations with a health plan regarding contract terms under which the professionals provide health care items or services for which plan benefits are provided. Establishes discretionary spending limits for FY2022-FY2023 for new budget authority in the nondefense category and revises sequestration discretionary spending limits for FY2014-FY2021.