Oct 31, 2017
Administration Seeks to Change Ten Essential Benefits Including Substance Use Disorder
PPU: 10.31.17
In a surprise move, the Trump Administration announced proposed changes in how states may comply with the “ten essential benefits” requirement contained in the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
The proposal would allow states, beginning in 2019, to use another state’s essential health benefit plan as its benchmark. States could make these changes on an annual basis after 2019 and change which state’s plans they chose to copy.
States could also shop for the most flexible plan within the ten essential benefits. For example, a state could use another state’s benchmark for prescription drugs and a different state’s plan for hospitalization.
What this means for National Association of Addiction Treatment Provider members is unclear because it would depend on how each state utilizes the flexibility. States could decide to leave treatment for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) alone. Or they could decide to use a benchmark from another state, which is more limited.
NAATP will continue to analyze this proposal, make appropriate comments and keep our members informed regarding the potential consequences. NAATP has consistently held the view that SUD should be maintained as an essential benefit.
Mark Dunn
NAATP Director of Public Policy
Washington, DC
