The CMS on Friday laid out the standards for the healthcare reform law's Basic Health Program, which gives states the option to establish a health benefits program for low-income individuals who otherwise would be eligible to buy coverage in the health insurance exchanges.
Effective after Jan. 1, 2015, this program would affect individuals whose incomes are between 133% and 200% of the federal poverty level.
Under a proposed rule (PDF), the CMS would give states the choice of using an annual open-enrollment model—which the health insurance exchanges will use—or the continuous enrollment model that is used in Medicaid and most Children's Health Insurance Plan programs. In addition, it defines the types of entities that can contract with the state to provide a standard health plan for Basic Health Program enrollees, and proposes a minimum standard of benefits, or "essential health benefits," and makes provisions for other benefits.