[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 223 (Monday, November 19, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 58260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25087]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 (HRSA), Department 
of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: 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).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 100.2 of 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 of HHS (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 (KFF) 
Employer Health Benefits Survey or other authoritative source that may 
be more accurate or appropriate.
    In 2018, MEPS-IC, available at www.meps.ahrq.gov, published the 
annual 2017 average total single premium per enrolled employee at 
private-sector establishments that provide health insurance. The figure 
published was $6,368. This figure is divided by 12 months to determine 
the cost per month of $530.67. The $530.67 figure is increased or 
decreased by the percentage change reported by the most recent KFF 
Employer Health Benefits Survey, available at www.kff.org. The 
percentage increase from 2017 to 2018 was 3.0 percent. By adding this 
percentage increase, the calculated average monthly cost of a health 
insurance policy for a 12-month period is $546.59.
    Therefore, the Secretary announces that the revised average cost of 
a health insurance policy under the VICP is $546.59 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 November 13, 2018.

    Dated: November 13, 2018.
George Sigounas,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-25087 Filed 11-16-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4165-15-P