Who regulates Association Plans designed to provide health benefits?

Association Plans designed to provide health benefits are primarily regulated by state insurance regulators. This regulatory framework is in place because individual states have the authority to set standards for health insurance coverage, including benefits, consumer protections, and solvency requirements.

State insurance regulators evaluate and oversee how these plans operate within their jurisdiction, ensuring that the plans comply with state laws and provide adequate protection for the consumers who enroll in them. Additionally, states can enforce regulations that help maintain the integrity of the insurance market, safeguarding against potential issues such as fraud or financial instability of the plans.

While the federal government does have a role in regulating certain aspects of health insurance, particularly under statutes such as the Affordable Care Act, the primary oversight for Association Plans remains at the state level. This distinction is critical for understanding how health benefits are structured and enforced, as well as the varied landscape of health insurance regulation across different states.