ACHA Publishes Concerns Regarding Short-Term Limited Duration Insurance or Other Non-ACA-Compliant Forms of Health Insurance

SILVER SPRING, Md., Feb. 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for short-term limited duration insurance (STLDI), the American College Health Association (ACHA) has published a whitepaper for colleges considering or electing to promote STLDI plans to their students, as well as other health plans that are not compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Developed by the ACHA Student Health Insurance/Benefits Plans (SHIBPs) Coalition, this whitepaper serves as a resource on the topic of STLDI and other forms of health insurance that are not likely to be in compliance with the ACA.

The STLDI regulations make it clear that colleges cannot offer STLDI as student health insurance coverage. Furthermore, ACHA's whitepaper expresses concern that colleges could explicitly or inadvertently "endorse, administer, or participate in" an insurance program for students that might have impermissible provisions relative to federal civil rights laws pertaining to discrimination based on gender or disability. Regardless of federal civil rights law concerns, most colleges also have institutional non-discrimination policies that would preclude offering STLDI and other forms of health insurance that do not comply with the ACA.

"Colleges should survey all departments/organizations to determine if they are promoting or considering a health insurance plan for currently enrolled students that is not certified as being fully compliant with the ACA," says Shannon Millington, chair of the ACHA SHIBPs Coalition.

"ACHA recognizes the importance of health insurance coverage as a critical factor in academic retention and completion," says Devin Jopp, EdD, Chief Executive Officer of ACHA. "We believe colleges should use caution in offering students STLDI or other coverage that is not student health insurance.   Colleges should ensure that any coverage offered meets the needs of students, is fully compliant with laws and regulations applicable to colleges that are recipients of federal funding, and meets the requirements specified in ACHA's student health insurance standards." 

Concerns for adequacy of coverage and regulatory compliance addressed in ACHA's whitepaper do not apply to ACA-compliant SHIBPs, which are often an outstanding value for students and their families, with many colleges providing Gold or Platinum level benefits.

ACHA gratefully acknowledges the support of Peter Lake, JD, and Robert Dustan, JD, in researching and writing the whitepaper. The whitepaper can be downloaded here. ACHA's Standards for Student Health Insurance Coverage, along with many other college health guidelines and recommendations, are available at www.acha.org/Guidelines.

About ACHA

The American College Health Association (ACHA), founded in 1920, is a national nonprofit association serving as the nation's principal leadership organization for advancing the health of college students and campus communities through advocacy, education, and research. ACHA represents a diverse membership that provides and supports the delivery of health care, prevention, and wellness services for the nation's 20 million college students. ACHA advocates for student health by integrating the critical role of college health into the mission of higher education. For more information about the association visit www.acha.org. 

Media Contact:   Rachel Mack
                             American College Health Association
                             [email protected], (443) 270-4560

SOURCE American College Health Association

Related Links

http://www.acha.org