On Dec. 16, 2016, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its final Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2018. This rule describes benefit and payment parameters under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), applicable for the 2018 benefit year. Updates include:

• The ACA’s out-of-pocket maximum limit increases to $7,350 (self-only coverage) and $14,700 (family coverage)
• The required contribution percentage for the individual mandate’s affordability exemption is decreased for 2018, to 8.05% of household income
• Special enrollment periods in the Exchange
• State-based Exchanges using the federal platform for eligibility and enrollment
• Three new sets of standardized plan options are established in the individual market federal Exchanges
• Child age rating updated to reflect one age band for children through age 14, and single year age bands for children age 15 through 20

Reference the below compliance bulletin for additional information, and contact your NEEBCo representative with questions.

Final 2018 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters 12-21-16