On June 4, 2021, the DOL, HHS and the Treasury (the agencies) issued two FAQs concerning the maximum out-of-pocket limit for plan years beginning January 1, 2022. In previous years, the limit was adjusted annually based upon the premium adjustment percentage described under the ACA. The method used in 2020 and 2021 relied upon estimates of private health insurance premiums for the private health insurance market (excluding Medigap and the medical portion of property and casualty insurance) as a measure of premium growth. Using this method, the maximum out-of-pocket limits for plan years beginning in 2021 are $8,550 for self-only coverage and $17,100 for other than self-only coverage. These limits were covered in an article in the May 27, 2020, edition of Compliance Corner.

However, continued use of this calculation would result in more rapid increases in consumer costs than would have occurred had HHS retained the method used to calculate the premium adjustment percentage prior to the 2020 plan year. Accordingly, the agencies adopted a method that utilizes estimates of employer-sponsored insurance premiums as a measure of premium growth. By applying this method, the maximum out-of-pocket limits for plan years beginning in 2022 will be $8,700 for self-only coverage and $17,400 for other than self-only coverage.

FAQs About Affordable Care Act Implementation Part 46 »

Source: NFP BenefitsPartners