CBO report: Expect one-year delay on CLASS

In its annual economic outlook report, the Congressional Budget Office on Wednesday hinted toward a possible delay of the voluntary long-term care insurance program to be implemented with health reform.

The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act will likely begin collecting premiums in fiscal year 2013, a year later than originally anticipated, according to the CBO report.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is expected to outline how the CLASS program will work by October 2012, and a proposed rule amending the program should be released by October of this year. It’s not yet known if the CBO’s projection will affect either of these October deadlines.