CMS Approves Wisconsin Waiver To Create A $200 Million Reinsurance Program To Lower Health Insurance Exchange Premiums

On July 29, 2018, the federal government approved Wisconsin’s Health Care Stability Plan (WIHSP) to create a $200 million reinsurance program to reduce premiums for health insurance exchange plans. The focus is on reducing premium costs for state residents who purchase individual coverage. Through the WIHSP, the state will reimburse qualifying individual health insurers for half the cost of care for enrollee claims ranging from $50,000 to $250,000.

Under WIHSP, premiums are projected to drop by an average of 3.5% from current levels and will be 11% lower than they would have been in 2019 without . . .