HHS proposes boost in health care plans' out-of-pocket limits

Employers would be allowed to bump up how much in out-of-pocket health care expenses they can require employees to pick up under newly proposed regulations.

Under the regulations, issued Friday by the Department of Health and Human Services, the maximum out-of-pocket expenses employers could require employees enrolled in group plans to pick up would be $7,150 for single coverage and $14,300 for family coverage, starting in 2017.

That compares to 2016 limits of $6,850 for single coverage and $13,700 for family coverage.

The proposed boost in the out-of-pocket limit is based on a methodology laid down by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and is tied to increases in group health care plan premiums.

Comments on the proposed cost sharing limit can be sent electronically here. The deadline for comments is Dec. 21.