The Hill: "The Department of Health and Human Services has released guidance for health plans seeking a waiver from the healthcare reform law's restrictions on plans' ability to place annual limits on essential health benefits. The new law creates temporary restrictions on health plans starting Sept. 23." But federal officials can waive those limits "if compliance ... would result in a significant decrease in access to benefits or a significant increase in premiums." The waivers are good only for one year.

Under current restrictions, annual limits for plans beginning between Sept. 23 and Sept. 22, 2011 cannot be lower than $750,000 (Pecquet, 9/7).