On September 2, 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a Final Rule specifying enrollment notice requirements and re-enrollment options for plans offered through the Exchange in 2015. Regarding notice requirements, the Final Rule states that consumers in the Exchange will receive notices from the marketplace before open enrollment begins that explain the auto-enrollment process and how consumers can return to the Marketplace to verify whether they qualify for more financial assistance. Insurance companies will also notify consumers about the 2015 premium and the amount the consumer might save on their monthly bill with a premium tax credit.
The Final Rule also indicates that if consumers do nothing as part of the renewal process, they generally will be auto-enrolled in the same plan with the same premium and other applicable financial assistance as the 2014 plan year. CMS explains that this Final Rule is intended to provide Exchange consumers with a simple way to keep their current health insurance plan and encourage consumers to return to the Marketplace.
The full text of the Final Rule, which is effective in October 6, 2014, can be found here.