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Aimed Monthly

This issue of Aimed Monthly includes a new fact sheet on non-EHB programs, an article for human resources professionals on cardiovascular health, a 2022 patient access scorecard, and much more.

Highlights

Aimed Alliance Releases New Non-EHB Fact Sheet

Aimed Alliance released a new fact sheet titled “How A Loophole in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Can Impact Access To Your Necessary Treatments.” This new fact sheet reviews how some health plans define specialty medications as non-essential health benefits under the ACA, and how state and federal legislation can help close the EHB loophole. Read the new fact sheet here.

HHS Releases A New Proposed Rule on ACA and Non-Discrimination Requirements

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights released a new proposed rule clarifying the scope of Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The fact sheet for the proposed rule is available here, and the full proposed rule is available here. Interested parties have 60 days to submit comments to HHS on the proposed rule.

Aimed Alliance Educates State Medical Directors on Copay Accumulators

On July 18, Aimed Alliance presented at the State Medical Society COVID-19 Collaborative on copay accumulators, non-essential health benefits, and alternative funding programs, and how providers can support their patients subject to these programs. Aimed Alliance also discussed state and federal legislation that would prohibit these programs and encouraged providers to advocate for change by sharing their knowledge on how these programs impact patients.

New York Legislature Passes Patient Protection Bills, Governor Hochul Must Now Sign

During the 2022 legislative session that ended last month, the New York legislature passed three patient protection bills that are now waiting to be signed by the Governor. The bills include a copay accumulator ban; a redefinition of the term “clinical peer reviewer”; and a prohibition on applying step-therapy protocols to treatments for mental health conditions. Read Aimed Alliance’s news release on the bills here.

PACH Educates HR Professionals on Benefits for Employees with Cardiovascular Disease

On July 27, HR.com published a feature article by the Partnership to Advance Cardiovascular Health (PACH) Executive Director Ryan Gough. The article discusses the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and how employers can recruit and retain employees providing comprehensive testing and treatment benefits for employees with cardiovascular disease. Read the article here.

Chronic Disease Coalition Releases 2022 Patient Access Scorecard

In July, the Chronic Disease Coalition released its 2022 Patient Access Scorecard, which rates each state based on (1) how accessible legislators’ direct contact information is; (2) the availability of virtual testimony options; and (3) the availability of instructions on how to view or participate in virtual proceedings. See how your state scored here.

House Ways and Means Committee Focuses on Misleading Marketing and Junk Insurance Plans

A study by the Government Accountability Office found that nearly 25 percent of insurance agents provide potentially misleading information to consumers, leading to the purchase of substandard “junk plans” that lack protections available under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). These deceptive marketing tactics can persuade vulnerable consumers to purchase short-term plans and fixed indemnity products, and to join health sharing ministries that not only do not provide the minimum essential coverage guaranteed by the ACA but are also not eligible for premium tax subsidies.

In response to this study, the House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requesting the FTC brief the House Ways and Means Committee regarding the agency’s authority over these health insurance telemarketers. Read the Committee’s news release here.

HHS Publishes Fact Sheet on Monkeypox Outbreak

On July 21, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a new fact sheet explaining its strategy for addressing the growing monkeypox outbreak. Currently, there are 4,907 monkeypox cases in the United States and 21,148 cases globally. Read HHS’s fact sheet here.

National Mental Health Hotline 9-8-8 Launches

On July 16, the new mental health lifeline 988 launched across the United States. The new shorter 988 line replaces the former 1-800-273-TALK line. Individuals in a mental health crisis or seeking mental health support can now text or call 988 and be connected to a suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselor. Read more about 988 here.

In Case You Missed It

Aimed Alliance Joins Chronic Disease Coalition Panel to Educate Employees on Their Rights Under the ADA

In a webinar now available online, Aimed Alliance joined the Chronic Disease Coalition to inform employed health care consumers of their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The three-person panel focused on how employees with disabilities and chronic conditions can advocate for themselves in the workplace. View the one-hour webinar here.

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