Title XI, SEC. 11007. NATIONAL TRANSITIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE RISK POOL. (a) Establishment. In order to assure access to health insurance during the transition, the Secretary is authorized to establish a National Transitional Health Insurance Risk Pool (in this section referred to as the ``national risk pool'') in accordance with this section. (b) Administration. (1) In general. The Secretary may administer the national risk pool through contracts with (A) one or more existing State health insurance risk pools, (B) one or more private health insurers, or (C) such other contracts as the Secretary deems appropriate. (2) Coordination with state risk pools. The Secretary may enter into such arrangements with existing State health insurance risk pools to coordinate the coverage under such pools with the coverage under the national risk pool. Such coordination may address eligibility and funding of coverage for individuals currently covered under State risk pools. (c) Eligibility for Coverage. The national risk pool shall provide health insurance coverage to individuals who are unable to secure health insurance coverage from private health insurers because of their health status or condition (as determined in accordance with rules and procedures specified by the Secretary). (d) Benefits. (1) In general. Benefits and terms of coverage provided through the national risk pool shall include items and services, conditions of coverage, and cost sharing (subject to out-of-pocket limits on cost sharing) comparable to the benefits and terms of coverage available in State health insurance risk pools. (2) Payment rates. Payments under the national risk pool for covered items and services shall be made at rates (specified by the Secretary) based on payment rates for comparable items and services under the medicare program. Providers who accept payment from the national risk pool shall accept such payment as payment in full for the service, other than for cost sharing provided under the national risk pool. (e) Premiums. (1) In general. Premiums for coverage in the national risk pool shall be set in a manner specified by the Secretary. (2) Variation. Such premiums shall vary based upon age, place of residence, and other traditional underwriting factors other than on the basis of health status or claims experience. (3) Limitation. The premiums charged individuals shall be set at a level that is no less than 150 percent of the premiums that the Secretary estimates would be charged to a population of average risk for the covered benefits. (f) Treatment of Shortfalls. (1) Estimates. The Secretary shall estimate each year the extent to which the total premiums collected under subsection (c) in the year are insufficient to cover the expenses of the national risk pool with respect to the year. (2) Temporary borrowing authority. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to advance to the Secretary amounts sufficient to cover the amount estimated under paragraph (1) during the year before assessments are collected under paragraph (3). The Secretary shall repay such amounts, with interest at a rate specified by the Secretary of the Treasury, from the assessments under paragraph (3). (3) Assessments. (A) In general. Each health benefit plan sponsor shall be liable for an assessment in the amount specified in subparagraph (C). (B) Amount. For each year for which amounts are advanced under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall (i) estimate the total amount of premiums (and premium equivalents) for health benefits under health benefit plans for the succeeding year, and (ii) calculate a percentage equal to (I) the total amounts repayable by the Secretary to the Secretary of the Treasury under paragraph (2) for the year, divided by the amount determined under clause (i). (C) Assessment amount. The amount of an assessment for a sponsor of a health benefit plan for a year shall be equal to the percentage calculated under subparagraph (B)(ii) (or, if less, \1/2\ of 1 percent) of the total amount of premiums (and premium equivalents) for health benefits under the plan for the previous year. (D) Self-insured plans. The amount of premiums (and premium equivalents) under this paragraph shall be estimated (i) by the Secretary for health insurance plans, and (ii) by the Secretary of Labor for self-insured plans. Such estimates may be based on a methodology that requires plans liable for assessment to file information with the applicable Secretary.