Source: http://docplayer.net/18042527-Section-1332-waivers-and-the-future-of-arkansas-healthcare-innovation.html
Timestamp: 2018-12-17 02:13:01
Document Index: 201917448

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 33', 'art 33', 'art 33', 'art 33', 'art 1']

Section 1332 Waivers and the Future of Arkansas Healthcare Innovation - PDF
Download "Section 1332 Waivers and the Future of Arkansas Healthcare Innovation"
1 Section 1332 Waivers and the Future of Arkansas Prepared for the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace Board and Legislative Oversight Committee April 6, 2015
2 Table of Contents I. Executive Summary... 1 II. Introduction to Section 1332 Waivers for State Innovation... 3 Background... 3 III. Federal Regulations Governing Section 1332 Waivers... 5 Provisions that May Be Waived Under Section State Public Notice Requirements... 9 Federal Public Notice and Approval Process Monitoring and Compliance State Reporting Requirements IV. Opportunities to Leverage Section 1332 to Advance Market Innovation Leveraging Section 1332 Waiver Authority to Integrate Coverage V. Implementation of Section 1332 Waiver Creation of a Workgroup and Preliminary Planning Passage of Authorizing Legislation Drafting, Submission, and Negotiation of the Waiver Operational Planning and Implementation Appendices Appendix A Acronym List Appendix B Explanation of Metal Levels Appendix C Federal Poverty Level Guidelines Appendix D Letter from Senator Sanders to Chairwoman of the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace Board of Directors P a g e i
3 Appendix E Interpretation of Section 1332 Appendix F Final Rule: Application, Review, and Reporting Process for Waivers for State Innovation P a g e ii
4 I. Executive Summary State Innovation Waivers are authorized under Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and, therefore, are commonly referred to as 1332 Waivers. These waivers will allow statespecific variations to health insurance marketplace rules in much the same way that 1115 Waivers currently permit Medicaid rules to be waived to demonstrate program improvement. This report on the role Section 1332 Waivers might play in shaping future Arkansas healthcare reforms has been drafted at the direction of the Policy Innovations Committee of the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace (AHIM) Board. The request was prompted by a legislative inquiry into how 1332 Waiver authority could be leveraged to establish new approaches to healthcare access, cost, and quality in Arkansas. The Arkansas Private Option has already leveraged a federal Medicaid 1115 Waiver to employ marketplace Qualified Health Plans as the delivery system for the state s Medicaid expansion, which was launched January 1, That waiver is due to expire December 31, At the same time, the AHIM Board has identified January 1, 2017 as the target launch date for the stateoperated individual marketplace. These timelines notably align with the January 2017 date by which states may begin operating programs authorized under Section The four sections of this paper that follow this Executive Summary are intended to: Identify the provisions of the Affordable Care Act that may be waived, and the conditions upon which they may be waived, under Section Document key events that prompted the request that this report be completed. Provide options and examples of waiver concepts that appear permissible under the law in order to facilitate a general policy framework of what is possible and feasible. Assess how 1332 Waiver provisions might be used to change program integration approaches between the marketplace and other coverage sources, such as Medicaid and employer-sponsored health insurance, in Arkansas. Identify key activities and timelines to be considered, should Arkansas decide it wishes to pursue a program alternative under Section 1332 for launch in Amid this information, this report reaches three important conclusions: 1) Section 1332 Waivers give states broad latitude to design a health insurance marketplace that operates under a different set of rules than the Affordable Care Act. This is the case as long as the program alternative can be shown to provide as much coverage to as many people at no higher cost. P a g e 1
5 2) Section 1332 Waivers have the potential to redraw the boundaries among major health benefit coverage sources, such as the marketplace, Medicaid, and employersponsored health insurance. This appears possible because rules governing eligibility for marketplace premium assistance and reduced cost sharing may be waived under Section This is especially notable for Arkansas as it considers legislative renewal of the Private Option, among other possible healthcare access innovations. 3) It will be difficult to implement a program alternative authorized under a 1332 Waiver if planning does not begin in earnest in early This is the case given an implementation process that would involve passage of a state law, federal waiver approval, and establishment of comprehensive new business operations to run the program, all within the context of an Open Enrollment period for the state-based individual marketplace that would commence for plan year 2017 on October 15, Section 1332 Waivers are new territory in state and federal healthcare policy. No such waiver has been applied for, denied, or approved as of the date of this writing. Interpreting and negotiating what is permissible under Section 1332 will gain its first precedents in the months ahead. This paper serves to help assess options and plan activities should Arkansas wish to be the first, or among the first, to submit an application. P a g e 2
6 II. Introduction to Section 1332 Waivers for State Innovation Background The Affordable Care Act (ACA) established a specific framework for health insurance marketplaces, Medicaid, and employer-sponsored health insurance. But one section of the law Section 1332 provides an opportunity for states to waive major provisions of the ACA in order to create program alternatives that are more responsive to state-specific coverage needs. Under the law, these alternative programs, if approved by the federal government, may begin operation as early as January 1, Approvals may involve review by both the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury Department. This report was drafted at the request of the Policy Innovation Committee of the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace (AHIM) Board and documents the scope of what is waivable in order to clarify possible 1332 options that Arkansas may wish to consider moving forward. In a letter dated July 28, 2014, AHIM Legislative Oversight Committee Chair, Senator David Sanders, asked AHIM to draft a report identifying alternative marketplace establishment options that may be allowable under a 1332 Waiver. The timing of AHIM s proposed launch of a state-based individual marketplace is also January 1, 2017, so 1332 alternatives are integral to AHIM businessplanning needs. Senator Sanders s letter was referred to the AHIM Policy Innovations Committee. Since then, the following actions have occurred: At the Policy Innovation Committee s August 7, 2014 meeting, Public Consulting Group, Inc. (PCG) provided the committee with a high-level overview of possible program initiatives, including 1332 Waivers, which could be pursued to advance policy goals that the committee had previously identified. At the August 11, 2014 AHIM Board meeting, PCG presented an overview of Section 1332 Waivers. This included briefing materials that described all components required for a complete 1332 Waiver application. On August 26, 2014, PCG provided the AHIM Executive Director with a Policy Innovations Chart that included broad program options potentially achievable under a Section 1332 Waiver. At the November 20, 2014 Policy Innovation Committee meeting, PCG provided a detailed analysis of each provision of ACA Section At this meeting, the Board directed PCG, in its role as the Board s professional services contractor, to author a report intended to address the Legislative Oversight Committee s request for a 1332 options paper. This document is that report and a starting point for Arkansas s conversations about the role of 1332 Waivers in future state healthcare innovations. It includes the following sections: P a g e 3
7 Section III Federal Regulations Governing Section 1332 Waivers provides an analysis of the provisions that can be waived, along with information regarding the procedures of the application submission process and ensuing state and federal public comment and hearing periods. Section IV 1332 Opportunities provides a set of waiver options to help provide a framework for establishing marketplace alternatives. Key to this section is analysis of how 1332 Waiver authority might be used to impact the future direction of Medicaid-marketplace program integration efforts, such as the existing Private Option. Section V Implementation of a 1332 Waiver provides information about both the activities and key timeline milestones that must be considered. This section acknowledges the Arkansas-specific issues that would influence a 1332 Waiver implementation work plan, particularly coordination with the individual state-based marketplace launch in 2017 and end date of the Private Option Section 1115 Waiver on December 31, P a g e 4
8 III. Federal Regulations Governing Section 1332 Waivers Provisions that May Be Waived Under Section 1332 Section 1332 (a)(2) states that the following passages of the Affordable Care Act and Internal Revenue Code of 1986 are potentially waivable, beginning in 2017: Subtitle D, Part I Subtitle D, Part II Sections : Qualified Health Plan and Essential Health Benefits requirements Sections : Marketplace requirements Subtitle E, Part 1 Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Section 1402: Cost-sharing reductions Sections 36B, 4980H, and 5000A: Premium tax credits and individual and employer-shared responsibility The sections referenced above include the fundamental components of health insurance marketplace features. These will be detailed in Section III, and will touch upon some of these salient provisions: Qualified Health Plans Premium Tax Credits Individual Mandate Essential Health Benefits Cost-Sharing Reductions Employer-Responsibility Payment The final rules and regulations around the design, development, and implementation of Section 1332 Waivers for state innovation are codified in 31 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 33. The rule states that the Secretary of HHS may authorize a waiver for state innovation that would begin on or after plan year January 1, (Section IV of this paper will delve more deeply into the timing of activities, deliverables, and milestones that would need to occur in order for Arkansas to submit a quality waiver application.) P a g e 5
9 Arkansas can coordinate Section 1115 and 1332 Waivers to achieve programmatic integration. The rules also make another important point in clarifying that states may choose to submit a single application to HHS under Section 1332, but the state may also choose to submit its 1332 Waiver in coordination with and under one or more of the existing waiver processes applicable under titles XVII, XIX, and XXI of the Social Security Act. 1 This permits Arkansas to reconsider program integration approaches between Medicaid and the marketplace that are as fundamental as eligibility criteria defining the service boundaries between the two programs. Logistics of the Application Submission 31 CFR Part 33 states that the application submitted to the Secretary of HHS must be done in an electronic format. The Secretary will then begin a review of the application package for completeness, which must be done within 45 days of submission. Once HHS has determined that the application is indeed complete, a 180-day review and decision-making period will ensue. Application Criteria Completeness As 31 CFR Part 33 states, an application for initial approval of a Section 1332 Waiver will not be considered complete unless the application meets all of the following conditions 2 : Provides written evidence of the state s compliance with the public notice requirements set forth in 31 CFR Part 33; Provides a comprehensive description of the state legislation and program to implement a plan that meets the requirements of a waiver under Section 1332; Provides a copy of the enacted state legislation that provides the state with the authority to implement the proposed waiver; Provides a list of the provisions of the law that the state seeks to waive, including a description of the reason for the specific requests; and The analyses, actuarial certifications, data, and assumptions are provided to the Secretary. Arkansas would need to pass and enact state legislation authorizing waiver implementation prior to submitting an application CFR (a) 2 31 CFR (f) P a g e 6
10 Principles The CFR specifies that the healthcare coverage proposed by the state in its waiver application package must meet the three essential principles (outlined below) in order to be accepted and ultimately approved by HHS. 1) Comprehensive Coverage: The requirement here is that the coverage proposed in the waiver application must be at least as comprehensive as the coverage offered through the marketplace. The thinking is that the term comprehensive refers to the benefit package, and that the plans offered in this new healthcare delivery system via a 1332 Waiver provide comparable benefits and protections to consumers looking to purchase quality healthcare. 2) Affordability: The regulations for 1332 Waivers also require that the healthcare coverage provide cost-sharing protections against excessive out-of-pocket spending, so that the plans offered to consumers are at least as affordable as those offered under the regulations codified in the ACA. There are a number of affordability requirements in the ACA, but one that states and issuers would need to consider when pricing these plans is the maximum out-of-pocket for both individuals and families. Any form of new coverage that enters the healthcare delivery system due to the implementation of programs proposed through a 1332 Waiver must meet the affordability requirement of the minimum essential coverage guidance, which states that healthcare coverage is considered affordable if it does not cost more than 9.5% of an individual s income. 3) Access to Coverage: The healthcare coverage proposed in the 1332 Waiver application package must be offered to at least a comparable number of residents, as codified in the ACA. Supporting Documentation Additionally, the waiver application must include the following supporting information in order to be considered complete: Required Supporting Information Actuarial analysis/certification Economic analysis 10-year budget plan Compliance confirmation Impact on population Key assumptions Impact on Arkansas market P a g e 7
11 Actuarial analysis and certification: As part of completing the application, the state must provide an actuarial analysis and certification to ensure that the programs and delivery systems proposed in the 1332 Waiver all comply with the three key principles of comprehensive coverage, affordability, and access to coverage. Economic analysis: Just like the actuarial analysis, this economic analysis is required to ensure that the state s estimates all comply with the three key principles of comprehensive coverage, affordability, and access to coverage. The economic analysis will also include the following components: A 10-year budget plan that is deficit-neutral to the Federal government. This must include all costs under the waiver, including any administrative costs. An analysis of the impact a 1332 Waiver for state innovation on health insurance coverage in the state. Some considerations for inclusion in this analysis could be a longitudinal study of the following areas: Financial impact on health insurance premiums, deductibles, and maximum out-ofpocket amounts; Impact on providers across Arkansas; Impact on issuer s plan offerings and provider networks; and Impact on issuer and health plan competition. Compliance confirmation: The applicant is required to submit any and all data that demonstrates the state s compliance with the coverage, affordability, and access requirements. Impact on the relevant healthcare population: Information on the age, income, health expenses, and current health insurance status of the relevant state population would need to be provided, as well as the number of employers and employees and whether or not those employers offer health insurance coverage. Key assumptions: The applicant is also required to provide key assumptions used to develop the estimates of the effect and impact of the 1332 Waiver on coverage and on the Federal budget. Examples of quantifiable information to display include individual and employer participation rates, behavioral changes, and premium and price effects. As discussed in Section IV of this report, states submitting a waiver application will need to develop a detailed timeline for the actual implementation of the proposed waiver. Additional Information Finally, additional information regarding the following topics are required to be provided in the application package: P a g e 8
12 Additional Application Information Administrative Burden Impact on Non-Waiver Provisions Out-of-State Health Care Services State Reporting Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Administrative Burden: Information is required on whether or not implementing the waiver would increase administrative burdens on individuals, employers, and issuers. Impact on Non-Waiver Portions of ACA: To the extent that the applicant s program concept does not waive some portions of the ACA and/or marketplace, the impact on those programs or populations will need to be included. For example, if the state does not change the upper threshold for premium tax credit eligibility, Arkansas would have to explain how individuals with incomes above 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) are affected by a 1332 Waiver. Out-of-State Health Care Services: An explanation of how the waiver will affect residents looking to receive health care services out-of-state is a required component of the application package. State Reporting: An explanation of how the state will provide the Federal government with all of the waiver information needed to determine the progress and success of the waiver implementation process will be required. Waste, Fraud, and Abuse: The applicant is required to provide an explanation of how its proposal addresses waste, fraud, and abuse for individuals, employers, issuers, and providers. State Public Notice Requirements Prior to submitting a Section 1332 Waiver application package, states must complete a public notice and comment period. 31 CFR requires a public notice and comment period sufficient to ensure a meaningful level of public input for the application of a Section 1332 Waiver. 3 At the onset of the public notice period, the state must post any relevant waiver information on its website, including: A comprehensive description of the 1332 Waiver application; 3 31 CFR P a g e 9
13 Information for consumers on where they can obtain copies of the waiver application package; Instructions on how to submit comments; and The location, date, and time of public hearings. Once the state has completed the public notice period, there will need to be public hearings so that stakeholders from across the state can become more familiar with the waiver application and how it could potentially impact the state s health insurance market. These public hearings must be conducted prior to submitting the waiver application package. CMS requires at least two public hearings to be held at least 20 days prior to the waiver submission. Federal Public Notice and Approval Process The federal public notice and approval process will begin on the first business day after HHS determines that all elements for a complete application were documented and submitted to HHS. 4 Once the federal public notice and approval process kicks off, HHS will post similar information to its website pertaining descriptions of the waiver and any supplemental materials that might prove beneficial to consumers and stakeholders interested in learning more about the proposed program. The final federal decision on the approval of the 1332 Waiver application will come no later than 180 days after the HHS determination of a complete application. Federal Requirement s Continued communication with Arkansas regarding waiver provisions Preliminary Review within days Decision-Making Period 180 days 45 Arkansas Actions Pass legislation enabling 1332 implementation State Public Notice and Comment Period Estimated 90 Days Public Hearing Period Estimated 30 Days Submit waiver application Federal Public Notice and Comment Period Estimated 90 Days Monitoring and Compliance Once the Section 1332 Waiver for state innovation has been approved, the state will need to conduct Implementation Reviews with HHS. Implementation Reviews are in-person meetings involving high-level state and federal officials to assess progress toward commencing program operations. They are forums used by CMS to determine whether program alternatives are reasonably expected to be launched in the time frame planned. Another required activity after the award of a new Section 1332 Waiver is the public forum period. Within six months after the implementation date of a Section 1332 Waiver and annually thereafter, a state must hold a public 4 31 CFR P a g e 10
14 forum to solicit comments on the progress of the program alternative. 5 The state must publish the information regarding the public forum on its website 30 days in advance of the actual hearing. A summary of the public forum must then be included in a quarterly report to HHS. State Reporting Requirements As mentioned above, states will be required to submit quarterly reports to HHS keeping them apprised of the status and progress of the Section 1332 Waiver implementation. A portion of these quarterly reports will be a summary of the public forums held for consumers and stakeholders, as well as reports of any ongoing operational challenges and plans for, and results of, any associated corrective actions. 6 Additionally, states must submit an annual report to HHS with the following information: The progress of the Section 1332 Waiver; Compliance with the ACA; and Summary of post-award public forum(s). States must submit a draft annual report to HHS no later than 90 days after the end of each waiver year. Then the state will need to submit a final report within 60 days of receiving federal comments and questions. Finally, both the draft and final reports will need to be published on the state s website within 30 days of submission CFR CFR P a g e 11
15 IV. Opportunities to Leverage Section 1332 to Advance Market Innovation Section 1332 provides a new legal mechanism that can be leveraged to advance health insurance market innovations that are responsive to state-specific needs and policy interests. States will have much greater capacity to tailor their approach to health insurance coverage by waiving provisions of the Affordable Care Act in the same way that states currently waive provisions of federal Medicaid law. The following is an outline of the specific ACA provisions that are explicitly waivable under Section 1332 and some examples 7 of how Section 1332 Waiver authority could be pursued. Subtitle D, Part I Section 1301 defines Qualified Health Plans (QHP), including the requirements that they be certified by the marketplace and include the Essential Health Benefits (EHB). This section also outlines requirements for QHP carriers, including that they sell at least one Silver and one Gold plan and charge the same premiums for the same products whether they are purchased inside or outside of the marketplace or through brokers or agents. Co-ops are explicitly included as QHPs. Section 1301 also includes basic definitions relative to insurance plans. Example of how these provisions might be modified using a waiver: A waiver could be sought under Section 1332 to allow carriers to participate on the marketplace even if they do not offer Silver and Gold plans, thus encouraging more carrier participation and competition. Section 1302 defines the Essential Health Benefits (EHB), addressing both what types of services must be covered and limitations for cost-sharing (out-of-pocket caps, limits on group insurance plan deductibles). This section also outlines the coverage levels and corresponding actuarial value targets, including outlining parameters for catastrophic plans. Examples of how these provisions might be modified using a waiver: Section 1332 could be used to allow for catastrophic plans and other plans that do not meet or that exceed the EHB, cost-sharing, or actuarial value (AV) level requirements to be offered to all or a select group of people (in the case of catastrophic plans, a wider group than is currently eligible) or employers (such as small employers). 8 These changes could apply across the marketplace or to a select group via a new coverage level. 7 This list is by no means exclusive, but gives a sense of opportunities that could be considered and explored in more detail. 8 This sort of waiver could be leveraged in concert with moving individuals who are currently Medicaid-eligible over to the marketplace (as outlined below). It could also accompany a waiver to the individual and/or employer mandates under Section Arkansas could seek to allow residents and large employers to purchase a skinnier plan and receive a reduced shared responsibility penalty, rather than pay the full penalty if they do not purchase any coverage. P a g e 12
16 States could seek to waive state cost for requiring coverage of benefits in excess of the EHB, particularly if a national EHB standard is implemented. Subtitle D, Part II Section 1311 sets forth provisions relative to the establishment of marketplaces, including those relative to: establishment grants and other support for states, the duties of marketplaces, QHP certification criteria and requirements, consumer support tools, and related standards. This section also establishes the marketplace open enrollment and special enrollment periods and outlines the permissible structure of marketplaces and responsibilities of marketplaces. Examples of how these provisions might be modified using a waiver: A Section 1332 Waiver could be used to allow the marketplace to set premium rates. States could waive the federally-set open enrollment periods. States could expand the role of agents and brokers in the marketplace, including allowing them to act as navigators to receive grants to fund their work to help people apply for Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTCs) and Cost Sharing Reductions (CSRs). Section 1312 outlines provisions relative to consumer choice in the individual marketplaces and Small Group Health Options Programs (SHOP), including that people shall be able to continue purchasing insurance outside of the marketplace and through agents and brokers and that members and staff of Congress must purchase coverage through the marketplace. Section 1312 also sets forth the requirement for a single, market-wide risk pool and permits states to merge their non-group and small group markets. This section also sets forth the eligibility requirements for people to purchase coverage through the marketplace and SHOP. Examples of how these provisions might be modified using a waiver: Under Section 1312, the SHOP can be expanded to large businesses in A Section 1332 Waiver could be sought to waive eligibility rules for the SHOP, to expend eligibility but only to select large groups (such as government entities and/or trade unions). Section 1332 could be leveraged to allow small employers or all employers to offer individuals tax-free vouchers for the purchase of individual-market coverage through the marketplace. This would allow employers to contribute toward health coverage and would promote consumer choice, with minimal administrative burden. Importantly, this would have to be made available to all employees to avoid discrimination challenges. 9 9 The state would need to decide whether the employees would also be eligible for APTCs if the employer-sponsored voucher was not enough to make coverage affordable under the ACA standards. If so, the state would need to determine whether large employers would be subject to partial or full shared-responsibility penalties. CMS might also negotiate including a Waiver of the small business tax credits to help fund the APTC for P a g e 13
17 Section 1313 sets forth requirements relative to marketplace financial integrity, including record keeping, reporting, and audits. Marketplaces may have payments rescinded due to misconduct and are subject to the False Claims Act. This section also requires a United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) study of marketplace activities and enrollees within five years. Subtitle E, Part 1 Section 1402 sets forth provisions relative to cost-sharing reductions, including required actions by HHS and carriers, eligibility standards, and how cost-sharing shall be reduced and reimbursed. Examples of how these provisions might be modified using a waiver: Under Section 1332, a waiver could be sought to make more people eligible for cost-sharing reductions (and to create new levels of costsharing assistance), including allowing lower-income people who are currently eligible for Medicaid to receive coverage and financial assistance through the marketplace. 10 A Section 1332 Waiver could be used to allow consumers to receive cost-sharing reductions for coverage outside of the Silver coverage level to which CSRs are limited today. This could be achieved by using the benchmark approach for CSRs as is used for APTCs. 11 Another CSR-related Section 1332 Waiver would be to seek to allow CSRs to be administered through funded Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). This would allow consumers to purchase any health plan with cost-sharing support and determine their own costsharing and coverage priorities. It would also reduce the administrative burden on carriers and marketplace in administering CSRs, which currently requires prospective estimates and payments and subsequent monitoring, reporting, and reconciliation. A Section 1332 Waiver could be used to provide cost-sharing subsidies to wrap around inadequate employer-sponsored insurance for income-eligible employees, rather than allowing those employees to opt out of the employer-sponsored insurance to receive financial assistance for marketplace plans. 12 employees. While Section 1332 does not explicitly allow for Waiver of Subtitle E, Part II of Title I of the ACA (the provision authorizing small business tax credits), it does provide for the pass-through of these tax credits to help fund a Section 1332 Waiver that will eliminate these tax credits. 10 This could include the population in the Premium Assistance Program, children currently eligible for Medicaid, and lower-income parents, as well as others. 11 Marketplace plans fall into one of five coverage levels Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Catastrophic Plans based on the actuarial value of the plan, or the percentage of costs for covered services it covers. Cost-sharing reductions are only available for Silver-level plans. 12 The state would need to determine if large employers would be subject to full or partial employer-responsibility penalties under this scenario. P a g e 14
18 Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Section 36B sets forth provisions relative to premium tax credits, including eligibility, calculating the credit, and reconciliation. Examples of how these provisions might be modified using a waiver: In concert with seeking a waiver for eligibility for CSRs (as outlined above), a state could seek a waiver to make more people eligible for premium tax credits and to add new tax credit levels for that population. A Section 1332 Waiver could be requested to allow APTCs to be administered at the family level rather than member-by-member, as is currently the case. A Section 1332 Waiver could allow subsidies to be provided to help those individuals who are income-eligible for APTCs to purchase unaffordable employer-sponsored insurance, similar to Medicaid premium assistance, or to buy up inadequate employer-sponsored insurance, rather than accessing APTCs, as they can today. 13 Section 4980H outlines the employer responsibility provision, including calculating employer size to determine applicability of these provisions, determining which employers are subject to penalties, and calculating the penalties. Examples of how these provisions might be modified using a waiver: As referenced above, there are various potential options for exempting all or certain large businesses from shared responsibility provisions while still continuing to cover the same number of residents, as required in Section This could be achieved by allowing employers to pay a lower penalty if they provide access to skinnier coverage than is currently permitted for purposes of the shared responsibility requirement. Likewise, employers could be subject to a lower penalty if employees could use what could likely be more limited APTCs to enhance their offer of employer-sponsored coverage that does not meet affordability or coverage standards. Section 5000A outlines the individual responsibility provision, including the coverage requirement, calculating the penalty, and exemptions. Example of how these provisions might be modified using a waiver: Similar to with large employers, there are potential options for exempting all or certain residents from shared-responsibility provisions while still continuing to cover the same number of residents, as required in Section For example, individuals could pay a lower penalty if they purchase lesser coverage than is currently permitted for purposes of the shared-responsibility requirement. 13 The state would need to determine if large employers would be subject to full or partial employer-responsibility penalties under this scenario. P a g e 15
19 Leveraging Section 1332 Waiver Authority to Integrate Coverage Arkansas has been a leader among states in reforming its health coverage system to advance integration across coverage types and promote reliance on the private market over public programs. Over the past two years, the state has enacted a program to utilize the private market to provide coverage for the adults that are newly-eligible for Medicaid under Arkansas s Health Care Independence Program (HCIP). The state has become a national model. These efforts have thus far relied on Section 1115 Medicaid Waivers, allowing the state to provide coverage under a unique delivery system and to waive certain other Medicaid requirements. As the state considers how to advance and evolve the goals and structure of the HCIP, it can look to the new tools that will be available under Section Specifically, the introduction of Section 1332 Waiver authority will allow the state to consider changes to private insurance coverage in addition to or instead of changes to Medicaid requirements that could enhance integration of the two coverage sources. Below we discuss two possible ways of leveraging Section 1332 Waiver authority to enhance integration of coverage. These are not the only two options, but set forward reference points in a continuum of options worthy of consideration. Before exploring these options, it is important to note that the frameworks outlined below are departures from the way CMS has thus far typically described what a 1332 Waiver program might look like. While the frameworks described below appear achievable within the specified 1332 Waiver parameters and requirements, the initial descriptions of the 1332 Waivers offered by CMS are to provide health care to those individuals who are marketplace, APTC, and CSR-eligible through an alternative program, as opposed to broadening eligibility to those who are not currently marketplace/aptc/csr-eligible into the existing marketplace structure. Seeking such a 1332 Waiver would involve negotiating a novel program approach with CMS and the IRS that breaks new ground in state health policy. Waiver approval would be contingent upon persuading those agencies that these initiatives are consistent with their interpretations of the law. A. Option leveraging Section 1332 Waiver authority: Waiving Marketplace Provisions to Support the Existing Private Option Model One approach would be to seek a combination of Section 1332 and Section 1115 Waivers to allow the Medicaid program to leverage the commercial market for coverage of the healthy members of the newly-eligible population, 14 similar to what is being done under the Private Option, but in a manner that is more comprehensive, thus not requiring state wrap-around benefits or separate mechanisms for cost-sharing protections. Under this model, Medicaid would enter the 14 Via this model, the state could also implement plans to expand the eligible population to include children and all parents (both of which would allow families to have shared coverage); the state could also seek to expand the population beyond those parameters if it so chose. P a g e 16
20 marketplace to negotiate two or more 15 Medicaid-specific plans that would meet the needs of the population to be covered in ways that are more consistent with Title XIX Medicaid law. This would allow individuals to receive the full range of coverage through QHPs (without a state wrap), and the state could pay for that coverage in full as premiums and without administering CSRs. The state would receive the federal Medicaid matching funds to pay for the coverage. The state could utilize a Section 1115 Waiver to allow coverage to be provided through QHPs and for desired waivers of other Medicaid requirements. New types of QHPs that are more responsive to the needs of the covered population could be designed. Section 1332 does not allow for the waiver of guaranteed issue requirements. 16 However, the Medicaid-specific plans would not need to be made available broadly on the marketplace if the state sought a Section 1332 Waiver to create a coverage level specific to this (or even a portion of this) population similar to the catastrophic plans. In this scenario as noted above the state should be prepared to demonstrate comparability to the existing Private Option coverage (since that is the coverage from which eligible individuals will be coming) in negotiations with Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Comparability could be demonstrated relative to numbers of people covered, comprehensiveness of coverage, and affordability of coverage, since the marketplace would be adapted to meet Medicaid requirements. It may also be possible to design the waiver to ensure that the cost of coverage is not more expensive than the Private Option from which the population will be coming. Much of the coverage for that population will already have been provided by QHP carriers. The fact that provider reimbursement rates for wrap services are lower than commercial rates may raise challenges in achieving cost comparability, given the impact of provider rates on coverage costs. However, the state may be able to demonstrate that the waivers are cost-neutral by showing that it can achieve savings by focusing its standard Medicaid program on people with special needs and achieving more efficient care and better health outcomes for that population. The Section 1115 Waiver sections that could be considered include: Section 1902(a)(17): To permit the State to provide coverage for eligible Medicaid enrollees through Medicaid-negotiated QHPs. Section 1902(a)(23): To make enrollment in Medicaid-QHPs in the marketplace mandatory for eligible beneficiaries. Other Section 1115 Waivers that could be considered include: Section 1902(a)(23): To permit the State to limit enrollees freedom of choice among providers to the providers participating in the provider network of the negotiated QHP (unless the state negotiates for unlimited networks) It is possible that a waiver of guaranteed issue could be negotiated, though not permitted in a strict reading of the applicable provisions. P a g e 17
21 Section 1902(a)(34): To permit the State to provide coverage beginning on the date of application, should the State decide doing so would be helpful. 1902(a)(10)(B) and 1902(a)(43) and / or 42 CFR : To permit the State to waive certain benefits (such as Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) and/or Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) and comparability of coverage (unless the state negotiates for these benefits to be included in QHPs). 17 The 1332 Waiver sections that could be considered include: Coverage Standards ( ), including EHB standards, actuarial value/coverage level restrictions, and cost-sharing rules so that coverage specific to the Medicaid population could be designed without having to fit it into and wrap around the currently-prescribed parameters for marketplace plans. These plans could be made specific to the Medicaid population in the same manner as catastrophic plans are available only to a limited population. Marketplace Standards ( ) including: eligibility, enrollment, navigator assistance, certification of QHPs, health plan oversight, and provision of information about plan performance, pricing, and marketplace financing. At this time, these types of waivers would likely not be necessary. APTCs and CSR (1401 & 1402): Again, these types of waivers would not likely be necessary. Individual Mandate (1501): At this time a waiver to individual mandate is not applicable. B. Option leveraging Section 1332 Waiver authority: Consumer-Driven Reform Another option could be seeking a Section 1332 Waiver to allow the state to take those newlyeligible low-income adults 18 that can be appropriately served by the commercial market out of Medicaid and allow them to purchase commercial insurance on the marketplace, with the financial assistance currently being provided through the marketplace. 19 In essence, this would equate to eliminating the eligibility floor for APTCs and CSR and evolving Medicaid into a program designed to serve the high-need, low-income population. 20 A Section 1332 Waiver could also be 17 The state could consider whether those in need of these benefits could be determined medically frail and receive these benefits through standard Medicaid coverage. 18 Again, the state could also implement plans to expand the eligible population, including children and all parents (both of which would allow families to have shared coverage); the state could also seek to expand the population beyond those parameters if it so chose. In concert with such expansions, the state could consider whether to seek a waiver for APTCs to be administered at the family rather than the individual level. 19 In considering this option, it is important to be mindful of the upcoming Supreme Court consideration of the King v. Burwell challenge to the administration of APTCs through the Federally-Facilitated Marketplace (FFM). As long as Arkansas stays on track to transition to a state-based marketplace, this should not be an issue. 20 More exploration and, ultimately, negotiation with CMS is needed regarding whether the state would need to play a role in screening for medically-frail individuals and/or supporting enrollment of the new marketplace population. Also subject to negotiation with CMS is whether this population would simply be made eligible for APTCs and CSRs through the existing federal mechanism meaning the subsidies would be paid directly by the IRS (through a FFM or SBM) or if a lump sum would be paid to the state under the waiver (such as via a Medicaid grant for P a g e 18
22 a vehicle to selectively waive marketplace and APTC/CSR requirements to ensure comparability to Medicaid coverage (if required), and to ensure that this coverage will work for the newly-eligible population. This sort of waiver would allow the state to cover the healthiest individuals in this population through an affordable commercial QHP subsidized with APTCs and CSRs without the challenges created by keeping these individuals in the Medicaid box, including the additional restrictions and unnecessary wrap-around benefits 21 required though the state s Title XIX program. Under this scenario, the new marketplace members would become eligible to use premium tax credits to purchase coverage, choosing among high-value Silver plans available on the marketplace. The marketplace could offer members up to 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Level premium tax credits equal to or greater than those currently available to those between 100 and 138 percent FPL 22 (see Appendix C, Federal Poverty Level Guidelines) and a choice among QHPs participating in the marketplace at the Silver level with the 100 percent of the actuarial value variation, equivalent to the American Indian and Alaskan Native plan variation. The marketplace could offer members between 101 percent and 138 percent FPL the tax credits available to similar populations in non-expansion states and a choice of Silver-level plans with 94 percent actuarial variation. If comparability to current Medicaid coverage is expected under the terms of the Section 1332 Waiver, as outlined above, more generous affordability protections may be required. Possible future marketplace eligibility levels could reflect those outlined in the table below: Description Income Age Notes Marketplace Newly-Eligible Individuals Medicaid-eligible childless adults and individuals from % of FPL Medically Frail Individuals Other Marketplace Eligible Individuals Medicaid-eligible childless adults and individuals from % FPL Individuals above 138% of FPL Will remain in Medicaid. Exempt from mandatory enrollment in ABP, according to 42 CFR (f). Those below 400% of FPL will receive APTCs. Those below 250% of FPL will also receive CSRs. that population) and the state would be responsible for administering APTC/CSR payments, which could involve assuming some financial risk for the state if not structured appropriately. 21 Likely, those people most in need of wrap benefits would be medically frail and remain in Medicaid. 22 Although people in that income level are generally eligible for Medicaid in AR, there is a subsidy amount specific to that population. P a g e 19
23 If comparability to Medicaid and, more specifically, the Private Option (since that is the coverage that people would be moved out of) is, in fact, expected (as noted above), Section 1332 may also need to be used as a vehicle to waive requirements related to QHP benefits and the monetary amount of APTCs and CSRs to achieve comparability with HCIP coverage. The state may be able to argue that benefits need not be expanded because those needing the Medicaid-specific benefits will remain in Medicaid via the medically-frail screening mechanism. If the state does make changes to benefits, it could do so for the entire market or limit those changes to the coverage level(s) for the new population, similar to the catastrophic plans. Changes to the monetary amount of APTCs and CSRs would be specific to the coverage level(s) for this new population. In regards to ensuring that the federal deficit is not increased, the fact that reimbursement for wrap services is lower than commercial rates may raise challenges. Additionally, it is important to bear in mind that individuals would be transferred from a program that, in 2017, will have state match requirements to another that is fully federally funded. The state may be able to avoid contributing toward the cost of coverage by demonstrating that it can achieve savings or at least be cost-neutral under the waiver, including by achieving better health outcomes and more efficient care within its remaining Medicaid population of people with special healthcare needs, the savings from which the state could get approval to apply toward APTC and CSR expenses. The 1332 Waiver sections that could be considered include: Coverage Standards ( ), including EHB requirements (both coverage and costsharing rules) for on and off marketplaces. There is an opportunity, if desired, to waive the AV/coverage level rules to include more robust cost-sharing protections instead of through CSR payments for all or a portion of the expansion population as they transition to QHPs. The state could also waive federal EHB standards to require more generous, Medicaid-like benefits. These additional cost-sharing protections and benefits could be made available across the market or could be made specific to the coverage level for the new population, similar to the approach for catastrophic plans. Marketplace Standards ( ) including: eligibility, enrollment, navigator assistance, certification of QHPs, health plan oversight, and provision of information about plan performance, pricing, and marketplace financing. Arkansas may need to seek a waiver to ensure that all newly eligible individuals can enroll through the marketplace, excepting those individuals who are screened and found to be medically frail under the state-defined eligibility criteria. APTCs and CSR (1401 & 1402): Arkansas could seek a waiver of the eligibility criteria, in order to expand eligibility for APTCs and CSRs to those HCIP adults who are below 100 percent FPL. This would include waiving the income floor for APTC and CSR eligibility, as well as the exclusion on eligibility for this financial assistance for people eligible for P a g e 20
24 Medicaid under the expansion. 23 In addition to expanding eligibility for APTCs and CSRs, Arkansas could create a new, higher level of APTC and CSR assistance, in addition to or as an alternative to enhancing cost-sharing protections through creation of a new coverage level. Individual Mandate (1501): At this time a waiver to individual mandate is not applicable. A Section 1115 Waiver or, at a minimum, a Medicaid state plan amendment may also be needed to contract Medicaid eligibility to a newly-limited population. 23 This would not be necessary if the state amends its Medicaid eligibility. P a g e 21