ACA Nondiscrimination Standards Set

Closeup of a doctor holding a tablet computer with a chalkboardOn July 18, 2016, the Final Rule of Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) entitled “Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities” went into effect, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in certain health insurance programs. Though the Final Rule went into effect earlier this summer, “for those insurance issuers or group health plans that must alter their plan benefit designs based on the Final Rule, the effective date is the first day of the first plan or policy year on or after January 1, 2017”.

In order to be in compliance with the Final Rule, there are several actions that covered entities must take, some of which include designating at least one employee to coordinate compliance efforts, developing a grievance procedure, and notifying the appropriate individuals regarding their rights under Section 1557.

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