HHS publishes new rules on Medicaid expansion, exchanges

The Obama administration released new regulations Monday to implement central provisions of President Obama's healthcare law, including its controversial Medicaid expansion.

The Health and Human Services Department gave states and insurance plans more information about the Medicaid expansion, as well as the creation of new insurance exchanges where people will be able to shop for private insurance.

The 472-page regulation aims to streamline the process for determining who is eligible for the expanded Medicaid program, as well as the system for notifying applicants of eligibility decisions.

Cindy Mann, the director of the HHS Medicaid office, said the changes made by this regulation were expected and would not add new costs to states.

The regulation also offers states two options for evaluating whether residents have access to employer-sponsored insurance, and for processing appeals of denied claims.

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