CMS proposes Basic Health Program funding methodology for 2017 and 2018

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today issued a proposed methodology for determining federal payment amounts to states that establish a Basic Health Program for 2017 and 2018. CMS proposes to use the same payment methodology as established for 2016, along with updated values for several factors. Currently, only New York and Minnesota have Basic Health Programs, an alternative to the Health Insurance Marketplace for people with household incomes between 133% and 200% of the federal poverty level who are not eligible for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program or affordable employer-sponsored coverage. CMS will accept comments on the notice for 30 days after publication in tomorrow’s Federal Register, and plans to issue a final notice by February 2016.