Sebelius concedes reform could raise premiums

Overview: Years after the insurance industry began warning that premiums will rise due to health reform, the Obama administration acknowledged Tuesday that it might actually be the case.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told reporters at the White House that some people may see their premiums rise under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Article:  Sebelius concedes reform could raise premiums

Study: Health overhaul to raise claims cost 32 pct

Overview: A new study finds that insurance companies will have to pay out an average of 32 percent more for medical claims on individual health policies under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

What does that mean for you?  It could increase premiums for at least some Americans.

Article: Study: Health overhaul to raise claims cost 32 pct

Small Businesses Pursue Health Law ‘Loophole’

Summary: Self-insurance, once the purview of only large companies, is becoming popular with small employers, too. But it could be a threat to the Affordable Care Act, since self-insured companies are exempt from many of the health law's requirements.

Article:  Small Businesses Pursue Health Law ‘Loophole’

Affordable Care Act at 3: Looking Forward and Expanding Access

By Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services

Posted March 22, 2013

Thanks to the health care law, qualified individuals will have access to quality insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Full Article:  Affordable Care Act at 3: Looking Forward and Expanding Access

Small Employers Are Clueless About Obamacare

Article:  http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-03-21/small-employers-are-clueless-about-obamacare

Most PPACA Provisions for Expatriate Plans Delayed Until 2015

On March 8, 2013, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Treasury issued a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) announcing that compliance with most Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) provisions is being delayed for expatriate plans meeting this definition:

HRAs & PCORI Fees

As part of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) a new fee was introduced to be paid by health insurers and self-funded plan sponsors to fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). The PCORI was established by the Act to promote the use of evidence-based medicine by disseminating comparative clinical effectiveness research findings. In mid December, the IRS released final regulations and guidance on the calculation and payment of the PCORI fees. Plans that are subject to the fee are: