This brief frames the key issues and potential impacts to Massachusetts consumers that may result from implementation of the federal proposed rule to expand the availability of Association Health Plans (AHPs). This brief:
- Describes the ways in which allowing AHPs to operate according to the proposed rule could impact the scope of benefits, provider networks, and consumer protections available to consumers in plans covered through this arrangement;
- Explains technical topics such as risk segmentation and rating rules and why they are important in considering the impacts of the proposed AHP rule on consumer access to health coverage; and
- Provides policymakers with options the Commonwealth could consider to protect consumers in response to the federal AHP proposal.
