CMS to set up database to monitor state health insurance exchanges

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced this week that it will develop a new database as part of a program to oversee states' development and operation of health insurance exchanges (Source: “Database to Oversee State Insurance Exchanges,” Health Data Management, April 15, 2011).

According to a notice in the Federal Register, the database will collect information on consumer inquiries and complaints regarding the exchanges, with CMS having enforcement authority over non-federal governmental health plans and being able to investigate whether states are enforcing provisions of the ACA and the Public Health Service Act.