The Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight

The Department of Health and Human Services has been entrusted with the responsibility for implementing many major provisions of the historic health reform bill, the Affordable Care Act, which the President signed into law on March 23, 2010. This bill was further improved by the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010, which the President signed into law on March 30, 2010. The Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight is dedicated to helping the Department implement many of the provisions of the legislation that address private health insurance.

Our office is responsible for ensuring compliance with the new insurance market rules, such as the prohibitions on rescissions and on pre-existing condition exclusions for children that take effect this year. It will oversee the new medical loss ratio rules and will assist states in reviewing insurance rates. It will provide guidance and oversight for the state-based insurance exchanges. It will also administer the temporary high-risk pool program and the early retiree reinsurance program, and compile and maintain data for an internet portal providing information on insurance options.

Our office will work closely with state insurance commissioners and governors, consumers, and stakeholders throughout the implementation process to ensure the new law best serves the American people.