So You Want to File a QHP Application

This will be the title of my instructional pamphlet that I envision sitting in a doctor’s office, among other great pamphlets such as “Talking to Your Kids about Drugs” and “Depression: Not Just a Hole in the Ground”.

Many of you reading this may also be in the midst of QHP uploading, on the receiving end of such terms as Error, Failure, Pending, and Invalid. Not what you’d call a walk in the park. I had a dream last week that President Obama himself told me personally that the QHP submission deadline would be extended. Anyone else required to eat, sleep and breathe this submission knows what I’m talking about. The message I’d like to send to anyone reading at CMS is this: we are trying. The industry is trying. We would be dismayed to see consumer choices limited due to trivialities such as technical errors.

That being said, my team is grateful for the additional days that CMS granted for the FFM submissions. If your organization falls short due to one of the reasons outlined in CMS’ memo, make sure that you submit a detailed petition to CMS by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on Friday, May 3. It must be signed by an officer of the company and include:

• The specific data elements that need correcting
• The HIOS issuer ID(s) in question
• The reason why the data elements must be corrected
• Evidence that documents the issuer made timely and good faith attempt to address the issue at least 48 hours prior to the new deadline, that is, as of May 1, 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Help desk ticket numbers, screen shots, send it all.

Anyone willing to share their battle stories once you are on the other side of the deadline (Friday May 3 at 8:00 PM Eastern Time), feel free to email me. There’s satisfaction in knowing you are not alone in Navigating this maze. (Yeah, you see what I did there.)

Resources

Don’t let the application process get in the way of your organization’s goals. Learn how Gorman Health Group can help ensure you have a smooth and compliant process.