The Internal Revenue Service recently issued a notice of proposed rulemaking about the fee health plans will pay to fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (Institute).
Fully insured plans will have the fee paid by the carrier. Self-insured plans (including some HRA and health FSA plans) must calculate and pay their own fee.
Comments are also requested about the fee calculation and collection. Comments are due July 16, 2012 to the IRS.
As a business owner or executive, please review the information and submit your comments to the IRS. This is your opportunity to speak up about fees you will be required to pay, whether through your company’s premiums or directly.
About the Institute:
The Institute helps people make informed health care decisions and improves health care delivery and outcomes, by producing and promoting high integrity, evidenced-based information that comes from research guided by patients, caregivers and the broader health care community. The research is intended to give patients a better understanding of the prevention, treatment and care options available, and the science that supports those options. It is governed by a paid 21-member Board of Governors and will have a staff of 30 employees according to the website’s current staff and open employment opportunities.
The Institute’s research findings cannot influence the Secretary of Health & Human Services determination of coverage, reimbursement or incentive programs unless the process is fully transparent and considers the effect on the population. In addition, the Institute’s findings cannot be the sole basis to allow the Secretary to deny coverage nor will the Institute develop a dollars-per-quality-of-life estimate as a threshold to establish effective or recommended care.
More information about the Institute can be found at their website www.pcori.org
