CRS – Private Health Insurance Market Reforms in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Annie L. Mach, Analyst in Health Care Financing; Bernadette Fernandez, Specialist in Health Care Financing. March 13, 2014

“The Affordable Care Act (ACA, P.L. 111-148, as amended) includes reforms of the health insurance market that impose requirements on private health insurance plans. Such reforms relate to the offer, issuance, generosity, and pricing of health plans, among other  requirements. Certain reforms also require the participation of public agencies and officials, such  as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in order to facilitate administrative or  operational elements of the insurance market.  This report first provides background information about the private health insurance market and then describes the market reforms included in ACA. The Appendix of the report provides additional information about how ACA market reforms apply to different market segments and types of health plans.”