OPM’s Multi-State Plan Rule Released

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued a proposed rule to implement the Multi-State Plan Program (MSPP) pursuant to the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Through contracts with OPM, health insurance issuers will offer at least two multi-state plans in each of the Exchanges in the 50 States and the District of Columbia.  The MSPP will provide consumers in every Exchange with the additional choice of two health insurance plans and like the health plans offered in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), OPM will maintain oversight and negotiation of contracts to ensure that consumers get value for their premium dollars.  NCPA will be providing comments on this proposed rule specifically urging OPM to require the same PBM transparency measures that it currently requires for PBMs that serve the health plans under the FEHBP, asking that OPM provide further detail on pharmacy network adequacy and asking that they specify pharmacies or pharmacists as essential community providers.