Consolidated Appropriations Act’s Machine Readable Files Requirement

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA) requires an increase in cost transparency and protections for consumers related to surprise billing and health care costs.

To comply with the CAA, NRECA has implemented the following:

• Notice of Participant Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills. In addition to the appropriate content appearing on certain explanation of benefit statements, NRECA has created a page on the Employee Benefits website that outlines a participant’s rights under the CAA. This page is linked from the participant landing page as well as the Education & Resources section.
• Effective July 1, 2022, a publicly searchable/available page that links to machine readable files in JSON language for each of the NRECA Medical Plan’s networks, detailing associated provider rates and out-of-network allowed amounts. This new page is now available from cooperative.com > Employee Benefit Programs > Machine Readable Files. Links to files for both UnitedHealthcare and Beech Street networks are available as well as a summary of the requirement. The files themselves will be provided and hosted by UnitedHealthcare.
  • Note: The machine readable files for the Beech Street network are forthcoming and  expected to be online prior to the July 1 deadline. Additionally, the requirement to post in-network and historical costs for prescription drugs is delayed pending further guidance.

Additionally, plan participants have access to the Find Care & Costs tool on the Employee Benefits website that allows them to review costs associated with prospective in-network providers to make more financially informed decisions with respect to their health care.

As a member of NRECA, your cooperative does not need to take further action. As a multiple employer plan, NRECA must comply with the CAA requirements on behalf of its participating members and provides this required information as part of its service to you.

If you have questions regarding the CAA or NRECA’s satisfaction of its requirements, please contact your local field representative. Additionally, you may reach a member of the Member Contact Center by calling 866.673.2299. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 7 am to 7 pm, Central time.