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. Updated standards included in the rule relate to:
· 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.
· Three new sets of standardized plan options are established in the individual market federal Exchanges
