April 05, 2016
On March 25, 2016, the Arizona Department of Insurance announced in a press release that insurers in the individual and small group major medical health insurance markets can choose to renew transitional policies through Dec. 31, 2017. As discussed in the March 8, 2016, edition of Compliance Corner, CMS announced an extension for small group transitional policies. Such policies are not required to be in compliance with certain PPACA mandates including community rating, coverage of essential health benefits, prohibition on pre-existing condition exclusions and the annual out-of-pocket maximum limit. The policy must have been in place on Dec. 13, 2013.
Additionally, insurers that offer this short term extension of coverage are required to send each policyholder (the employer for a group policy) a renewal notice that explains the offer to continue the transition policy to the end of 2017.
Press Release »
On March 17, 2016, Gov. Ducey signed HB 2264 into law. The law mandates that insured group health plans that cover prescription eye drops to treat glaucoma or ocular hypertension must also cover refills for these eye drops under certain conditions. This law applies to policies issued, delivered or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2018.
HB 2264 »