In This Issue:

- Top News

..HHS Gives Mixed Messages Regarding Federal Health Care Program-Status of Qualified Health Care Plans (QHPs)

..HHS Issues Health Insurance Marketplace Enrollment Report Snapshot

..President Obama Announces Administrative Fix for Cancelled Health Plans

- State News

..Covered California Leads the Way in State-Based, Federal Exchange Success

..Michigan Senate Bill Could Expand APNs Role

..District Court Grants Partial Judgment to United States Finding Halifax Hospital Violated Stark Law

- Regulatory News

..Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act

..IRS modifies “Use-or-Lose” Rule of Health Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs)

- Additional Reading

- Federal Register

- Excerpt from HHS Gives Mixed Messages Regarding Federal Health Care Program-Status of Qualified Health Care Plans (QHPs):

On October 30, 2013, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius issued a response letter clarifying whether Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) available on health insurance exchanges would be considered “federal health care programs” under the Social Security Act. Status as a federal health care program would subject arrangements involving QHPs to legal scrutiny under the federal Anti-Kickback statute.