Section 1332 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act permits states to apply for State Innovation Waivers (aka Section 1332 Waivers or State Relief and Empowerment Waivers) to pursue innovative strategies for providing high value and affordable individual health insurance regardless of income, geography, age, gender, or health status. As a follow-up to the guidance released last year, CMS has created concept papers and templates for four waiver concepts to help states develop new approaches to providing health coverage: State Specific Premium Assistance, Adjusted Plan Options, Account-Based Subsidies, and Risk Stabilization Strategies. In 2018, rural areas had fewer insurers offering individual health insurance and higher average adjusted premiums compared to urban areas.
