# Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Data Collection To Support Standards Related to Essential Health Benefits; Recognition of Entities for the Accreditation of Qualified Health Plans
> **US Department of Health and Human Services** · Final rule. · Published 2012-07-20 · Effective 2012-08-20 · 77 FR 42658
## Document
- **Document number:** 2012-17831
- **Category:** other
- **Sub-agency:** US Department of Health and Human Services
- **Federal Register citation:** 77 FR 42658
- **CFR reference:** 45 CFR 156
- **Publication date:** 2012-07-20
- **Effective date:** 2012-08-20
- **HHS docket:** CMS-9965-F
## Abstract

This final rule establishes data collection standards necessary to implement aspects of section 1302 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act), which directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to define essential health benefits. This final rule outlines the data on applicable plans to be collected from certain issuers to support the definition of essential health benefits. This final rule also establishes a process for the recognition of accrediting entities for purposes of certification of qualified health plans.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2012/07/20/2012-17831/patient-protection-and-affordable-care-act-data-collection-to-support-standards-related-to-essential)
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