Health Care Reform News for 2012

Attached is an overview of some of the key provisions for Health Care Reform in 2012: 

• W-2 reporting,
• Small Business Health Care Tax Credit—available through 2013,
• Uniform Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) Forms and Notice of Material Modifications—DELAYED,
• Medical Loss Ratio Rebate,
• Quality of Care Reporting,
• Comparative Effectiveness Research Plan Fees, and
• Women's Preventive Services.

Other topics addressed:

• Reform Lawsuits & Decisions
• Virginia Health Reform Initiative
• Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan
• PPACA Grandfathered Plan Notice

Navigating the next phase of health care reform

Benefit changes. Coverage requirements. Tax credits. Exchanges. When it comes to health care reform, there’s a lot to know – and a lot to do. Here are some key provisions that will affect you through 2018.

Anthem Article: Navigating the next phase of health care reform; Your guide to making strategic decisions

Health Care Reform News for 2011

Attached is an overview of some of the key provisions for Health Care Reform in 2011: 

• Small Business Tax Credit
• Health Coverage and Older Children
• Changes to Over-the-Counter Drugs
• HSA Tax Penalty
• Nondiscrimination Testing Delayed
• W2 Reporting - Optional in 2011
• Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan
• Virginia Health Reform Initiative
• Reform Lawsuits & Decisions
• PPACA Notices
• New Reform Website

Required PPACA Notices

Here are a list of Notices that you must provide to all of your employees (and COBRA or state continuation enrollees) beginning with plan years or policy years beginning on or after September 23, 2010, as required by the PPACA.

You can obtain and modify the notices on the Department of Labor Website (click the Notice name below). For your convenience, we have also compiled them as a Sample Notice on our website.

• Model Language for Notice of Opportunity to Enroll in connection with Extension of Dependent Coverage to Age 26
• Model Language Notice Lifetime Limit No Longer Applies and Enrollment Opportunity
• Model Language Notice Patient Protection Disclosure
• Model Language Notice Grandfathered Health Plan

UPDATE - For groups with plan years or policy years beginning on or after September 23, 2011, only Grandfathered groups are required to distribute the PPACA Grandfathered Notice. Sample Grandfathered PPACA Notice 

 

 

Health Care Reform September 23, 2010 Requirements/Provisions

Attached is an overview of the Health Care Reform requirements effective September 23, 2010.

Items addressed include:

• Grandfathered plans
• Grandfathered vs. Non-Grandfathered Provisions Chart
• Provisions effective 9/23/10 (Dependent coverage to age 26, removal of pre-existing condition exclusions for children, annual & lifetime limits, recissions, preventive care visits, and patient protections)
• Required PPACA notices

Small Business Tax Credit IRS Guidance Released

The Internal Revenue Service issued new guidance on May 17, 2010 to make it easier for small businesses to determine whether they are eligible for the new health care tax credit under the Affordable Care Act and how large a credit they will receive. The guidance makes clear that small businesses receiving state health care tax credits may still qualify for the full federal tax credit. Additionally, the guidance allows small businesses to receive the credit not only for regular health insurance but also for add-on dental and vision coverage.

Attached is an overview of the Small Business Tax Credit IRS Guidance.

Health Care Reform FAQ's

As a follow-up to our post on 4/16/10 regarding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), attached are some Frequently Asked Questions that we've been hearing about employee concerns, COBRA, employer responsibilities, and the Small Business Tax Credit. 

INTRODUCING...Our new resource website on Health Care Reform - http://www.sterlingbenefit.com/section8.cfm?&disclaimer=accept. 

We’ll continue to send out updates as they become available, but we encourage you to review the information and utilize our website and office as a resource in addressing questions and concerns. The website includes Sterling publications, hot topics, resource links, highlights, timelines and calendars. Please feel free to share this website and invite people to sign up for electronic Reform updates!

As always, we appreciate the opportunity to be of service.