Bill Description: House Bill 844 would provide increased flexibility for Idahoans to purchase enhanced short-term health insurance plans.
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Does it give government any new, additional, or expanded power to prohibit, restrict, or regulate activities in the free market? Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce government intervention in the market?
House Bill 844 would amend sections 41-5207 and 41-5214, Idaho Code, related to enhanced short-term health insurance plans, to clarify that a carrier may allow enrollment in such plans on a year-round basis, at any point in the calendar year; during an annual open enrollment period; or during a special enrollment period.
It would also say that the government rules for these plans “shall not be more restrictive than the requirements established in this section; shall provide that the maximum duration of an enhanced short-term plan shall be the greater of twelve (12) consecutive months or the maximum duration described in 45 CFR 144 or its succeeding regulation; shall provide that enhanced short-term plans may be eligible for renewal for a maximum total duration that is the greater of thirty-six (36) months or the maximum duration described in 45 CFR 144 or its succeeding regulation.”
(Of note, these incorporations of federal code are limited in scope and allow only for increased terms, not for reductions in the minimums set in Idaho code.)
The bill also says the Department of Health and Welfare may not establish minimum standards for covered benefits in enhanced short-term plans, and the plans shall not be subject to the rating requirements established in section 41-5206, Idaho Code.
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