On December 27, 2020, the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) was signed into law. It includes Title I, the No Surprises Act (NSA) and Title II, Transparency. The NSA applies to individual and group insurance plans offered by health insurance issuers as well as self-insured and grandfathered plans.
The purpose of Bulletin 2021-09 is to inform licensees issuing health insurance coverage, certified Independent Review Organizations and Private Review Agents and other licensees providing services related to health insurance coverage of the provisions of the NSA of the CAA and regulations issued by the Department of Health and Human Services , under 45 C.F.R. Parts 144, 147, 149 and 156. Insurers must certify compliance with the provisions of the CAA annually.