Stakeholders have until March 15^th to provide comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on proposed guidance directed to potential Qualified Health Plan issuers in Federally-facilitated Exchanges and State Partnership Exchanges. The exchanges, established under the Affordable Care Act, were created to provide competitive marketplaces for individuals and certain employers to directly compare available private health insurance options.

The draft letter and guidance  addresses:

▸  Certification Standards for Qualified Health Plans;

▸  Qualified Health Plan Certification Process;

▸  Qualified Health Plan  Performance and Oversight;

▸  Stand-alone Dental Plans;

▸  Consumer Enrollment and Premium Payment;

▸  Consumer Support; and

▸  Tribal Relations and Support.

CMS has requested that comments be organized based on the subsections of the guidance.  Comments should be submitted to FFEcomments@cms.hhs.gov by March 15, 2013.