Federal & State Regulations | State insurance exchanges - Rhode Island

State Info

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must make a determination on or before January 1, 2013, that a state will in fact have an exchange in operation by 2014 and that the exchange meets the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and HHS guidance. In a letter dated November 15, 2012, Secretary Sebelius indicated that a state may submit both a letter of intent and an application to operate its own exchange by December 14, 2012. If a state elects not to operate an exchange, or if the HHS determines that the state will not be able to have an exchange operational by 2014 that meets the law’s requirements, the ACA gives the HHS the authority to establish and operate such exchange within the state.

Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee issued Executive Order 11-09 on September 19, 2011 to establish the Rhode Island Health Benefits Exchange. This measure was taken after the state legislature failed to pass a bill establishing an exchange. The exchange is a division within the Executive Department governed by a 13-member board.

Rhode Island has received the following federal grants develop and establish an exchange and its supporting infrastructure:

In September 2011, Rhode Island was awarded a $1,000,000 State Planning Grant.
As part of a multi-state consortia is shares a $35,591, 133 grant with Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
In March 2011, Rhode Island received a $5,240,668 Level One Establishment Grant.
In September 2011, the state received a $58,515,871 Level Two Establishment Grant.