The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued an interim final rule with a comment period to adopt the categories of information that will be collected and displayed as web portal content that HHS will require from issuers and request from states, associations and high-risk pools.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, enacted March 23, requires the establishment of an internet web portal where individuals and small businesses can obtain information about the insurance coverage options that may be available to them in their states.

According to the IFR, posted in the May 5 edition of the Federal Register, the portal will provide, at minimum, information on the following coverage options:

• Health insurance coverage offered by health insurance issuers;
• Medicaid coverage;
• Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage;
• State health benefits high risk pool coverage;
• Coverage under the high risk pool created by the Affordable Care Act; and
• Coverage within the small group market for small businesses and their employees.

The regulations are effective on May 10 and public comment will be taken until June 4.