The Department of Labor is set to issue the final rule on association health plans in the near future, following a review by the White House. This rule, known as 1210-AC16, will determine who is eligible to use these plans, which have been praised for their affordability compared to other employer-sponsored plans.
The proposed rule from December 2023 aims to overturn a rule put in place during the Trump administration in 2018, which broadened the definition of “employer” to allow self-employed individuals and a greater number of small employers to join together in purchasing health insurance. The new rule will likely have implications for how association health plans are structured and who is eligible to participate in them.
The decision to rescind the previous rule is likely to impact many small businesses and self-employed individuals who have relied on association health plans for more affordable healthcare options. The completion of the review process marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over association health plans and their role in providing healthcare coverage for small businesses and the self-employed. The implications of this decision will be closely watched as the Department of Labor moves forward with its formal issuance of the new rule.
