CMS: States Need Not Defray Cost Of Revised EHBs, Should Address Opioids

CMS told states they do not need to defray the costs of new benefits that may be included in a revised essential health benefit (EHB) benchmark plan unless the coverage has been legislatively mandated, and encouraged states to implement revisions that would better address the opioid epidemic. The agency granted states flexibility to revise their benchmark plan on an annual basis in its final rules for exchange plans for plan year 2019, and while the deadline to make changes for...