Georgia Navigator Practice Exam

Which entity is responsible for enforcing health insurance standards under the ACA?

1. Insurance Regulatory Commission

2. Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO)

3. Health and Human Services Department

4. State Health Departments

The correct answer is: Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO)

The Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) plays a pivotal role in enforcing health insurance standards set forth by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This federal entity operates under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and is tasked with overseeing the implementation of many components of the ACA, particularly those related to health insurance markets and protections for consumers. The responsibilities of the CCIIO include ensuring compliance with provisions that protect consumers, such as prohibiting discrimination based on pre-existing conditions and requiring that health plans cover essential health benefits. In essence, the CCIIO works to ensure that states and insurers adhere to the regulations established by the ACA, safeguarding consumers' rights and promoting fair practices in the health insurance market. While other entities like the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and state health departments play important roles in healthcare regulation and public health, it is the CCIIO that specifically focuses on the enforcement of the standards for health insurance as delineated in the ACA.