13 April 2017 - CMS today issued the final Market Stabilisation rule, to help lower premiums and stabilise individual and small group markets and increase choices for Americans. 

Individuals obtaining coverage in the Marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act have faced double-digit premium increases, fewer plans to choose from, and a market that continues to be threatened by insurance issuer exits. The CMS rule is designed to provide some relief for patients and issuers now.

“CMS is committed to ensuring access to high quality affordable healthcare for all Americans and these actions are necessary to increase patient choices and to lower premiums,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. “While these steps will help stabilise the individual and small group markets, they are not a long-term cure for the problems that the Affordable Care Act has created in our health care system.”

Read CMS press release