The New Hampshire legislature enacted significant changes in 2018, amending statutes like RSA 404-G to refine the state’s healthcare framework. These 2018 Statutory Amendments mandate the continued operation of an Association. This Association’s purpose is to collect assessments for the State of New Hampshire, directly supporting the New Hampshire Granite Advantage Health Care Program. Established under New Hampshire RSA 126-AA, this program replaced the Marketplace Premium Assistance Program (RSA 126-A:5(:XXV)).
Key Functions of the Association and the Granite Advantage Program
The 2018 Granite Statutory Amendments stipulate that the Association must gather funds from its members. These collected funds are then deposited into the Granite Advantage Health Care Trust Fund. The amount collected is capped at the lesser value between a “remainder amount” (defined in RSA 126-AA:1(V)) and the revenue from the alcohol abuse prevention and treatment fund (RSA 176-A:1(IV)). This revenue also includes taxes from premiums and medical services for the newly Medicaid-eligible population. To incorporate these statutory changes, the Association adopted the First Amendment to its Restated Plan. This amendment received approval from both the Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and the Insurance Commissioner. A key provision of this First Amendment allows the Association to redirect funds not needed for the Marketplace Premium Assistance program and its operational costs into a reserve fund. This reserve is intended to address potential financial needs arising from supporting the Granite Advantage Program.
Program Termination and Financial Reconciliation
According to the 2018 Statutory Amendments, the Granite Advantage Program is scheduled to conclude on December 31, 2023, unless future legislation extends its duration. Should no extension occur, the Association is required to make its final distribution of assessment proceeds to the Granite Advantage Health Care Trust Fund by February 15, 2024. Subsequently, the Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services will determine the final remainder amount under the Granite Advantage Program and communicate this figure to the Association by February 15, 2025. This true-up process ensures financial accuracy. If assessments collected by the Association fall short of the final remainder amount, the Association is obligated to cover the underpayment. This will be drawn from its reserves or, if reserves are insufficient, through a special assessment on its members. Conversely, if the Association has overpaid, the excess amount will be returned to the Association within 45 days of the Commissioner’s report.
