[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 216 (Monday, November 9, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 69230]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-28436]



[[Page 69230]]

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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

    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 the average cost of a health 
insurance policy, as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services, is effective upon its delivery 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 2015, MEPS-IC, available at www.meps.ahrq.gov, published the 
annual 2014 average total single premium amount per enrolled employee 
at private-sector establishments that provide health insurance. The 
figure published was $5,832. This figure is divided by 12-months to 
determine the cost per month of $486.00. The $486.00 shall be increased 
or decreased by the percentage change reported by the most recent KFF/
HRET, available at www.kff.org. The percentage increase from 2014 to 
2015 was published at 4 percent. By adding this percentage increase, 
the calculated average monthly cost of a health insurance policy in 
2015 is $505.44.
    Therefore, the Secretary of Health and Human Services announces 
that the revised average cost of a health insurance policy under the 
VICP is $505.44 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 23, 2015.

    Dated: November 3, 2015.
James Macrae,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-28436 Filed 11-6-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P