[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 208 (Monday, October 30, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50150-50151]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-23557]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program: Revised Amount of 
the Average Cost of a Health Insurance Policy

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice.

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    The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is 
publishing an updated monetary amount of the average cost of a health 
insurance policy as it relates to the National Vaccine Injury 
Compensation Program (VICP).
    Section 100.2 of the VICP's implementing regulation (42 CFR part 
100) states that the revised amount of an average cost of a health 
insurance policy, as determined by the Secretary, is effective upon its 
delivery by the Secretary to the United States Court of Federal Claims 
(the Court), and will be published periodically in a notice in the 
Federal Register. This figure is calculated using the most recent 
Medical Expenditure Panel Survey-Insurance Component (MEPS-IC) data 
available as the baseline for the average monthly cost of a health 
insurance policy. This baseline is adjusted by the annual percentage 
increase/decrease obtained from the most recent annual Kaiser Family 
Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust (KFF/HRET) 
Employer Health Benefits survey or other authoritative source that may 
be more accurate or appropriate.
    In 2017, MEPS-IC, available at www.meps.ahrq.gov, published the 
annual 2016 average total single premium per enrolled employee at 
private-sector establishments that provide health insurance. The figure 
published was $6,101. This figure is divided by 12-months to determine 
the cost per month of $508.42. The $508.42 is increased or decreased by 
the percentage change reported by the most recent KFF/HRET Employer 
Health Benefits Survey, available at www.kff.org. The percentage 
increase

[[Page 50151]]

from 2016 to 2017 was 4.0 percent. By adding this percentage increase, 
the calculated average monthly cost of a health insurance policy for a 
12-month period is $528.76.
    Therefore, the Secretary announces that the revised average cost of 
a health insurance policy under the VICP is $528.76 per month. In 
accordance with Sec.  100.2, the revised amount was effective upon its 
delivery by the Secretary to the Court. Such notice was delivered to 
the Court on October 24, 2017.

    Dated: October 24, 2017.
George Sigounas,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2017-23557 Filed 10-27-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P