"The Department disagrees with the district court's ruling and on April 26, 2019 the Department of Justice filed a notice of appeal. The policy reflected in this Statement will remain in effect for existing AHPs until their current plan year or contract term expires.... Employers participating in insured AHPs can generally maintain that coverage through the end of the plan year or, if later, the contract term. This means their employees generally can keep their coverage in force. [HHS] has advised the Department that employer members of an insured AHP have an independent right under the guaranteed renewability provision of the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act) to continue insurance coverage (including maintaining all out-of-pocket accumulators for employees and their families) through the end of the applicable plan year, unless an exception applies.... [T]he Department will work with affected parties, HHS, and the States to mitigate any disruptions or hardships that result from confusion regarding the status of the AHP rule and legal compliance requirements. The focus of the Department's efforts will be on ensuring that participants and beneficiaries get their health benefits claims paid as promised, and on reducing the risk of adverse consequences to affected employer associations, and their employer members, that relied in good faith on the rule."  MORE >>