Health Care Reform
Legislative Brief: Health Care Reform - Grandfathered Plans
Legislative Brief: Health Care Reform - Grandfathered Plans
November 17, 2010
In March 2010, President Obama signed sweeping health care legislation into law. The health care reform law contains many provisions that will affect your business and your employees.
Legislative Brief: Health Care Reform - Grandfathered Plans Can Change Insurance Carriers
November 17, 2010
Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), health plans that existed on March 23, 2010, are generally considered “grandfathered plans.”
Legislative Brief: Health Care Reform - FAQs on Grandfathered Plans and Essential Health Benefits
November 8, 2010
The Department of Labor (DOL) has previously issued three sets of Frequently Asked Questions to assist in implementing these changes. On November 1, 2010, the DOL issued additional FAQs regarding grandfathered plans and essential health benefits.
Health Care Reform: Common Acronyms
November 8, 2010
There are a growing number of acronyms used in health care reform-related materials today. Here is a list of common acronyms and a definition for each.
Health Care Reform Survey Results 2010
November 8, 2010
The 2010 Health Care Reform Survey was conducted in summer and early fall of 2010. A total of 2,488 respondents completed this survey about how health care reform may impact employers' health plans.
Legislative Brief: Health Care Reform - How Will the 2010 Elections Affect Health Care Reform?
November 8, 2010
The recent elections, held on November 2, 2010, are bringing big changes to Washington. Results of a few races are still to be finalized in the days after the elections, but it is already clear that we are looking at a new political landscape.
Legislative Brief: Health Care Reform - IRS Delays Form W-2 Reporting Requirement
October 21, 2010
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) requires employers to report the aggregate cost of employer-sponsored group health coverage on an employee’s Form W-2, beginning with the 2011 tax year.
Legislative Brief: Health Care Reform - Guidance on External Review Processes for Insurers
October 21, 2010
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) requires non-grandfathered group health plans and health insurance coverage to adopt an improved internal claims and appeal process and to follow minimum requirements for external review.
Legislative Brief: Health Care Reform - DOL Issues Implementation FAQ Guidance
October 21, 2010
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was enacted on March 23, 2010 and amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 on March 30, 2010. The health care reform legislation includes many changes related to health care coverage and raises a number of questions for employers.
Legislative Brief: Health Care Reform - Provisions Effective For Plan Years Beginning on or After September 23, 2010
October 21, 2010
September 23, 2010 marked the date that some of the first health care reform provisions under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) began to take effect. Provisions will continue to be implemented over the next few years.
Legislative Brief: Health Care Reform - IRS Guidance on the Small Employer Health Care Tax Credit
October 21, 2010
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (the Reconciliation Act), provides a tax credit to certain small employers that provide health care coverage to their employees, effective with tax years beginning in 2010.
Health Care Reform: Open Enrollment Compliance Checklist Packet Now Available
October 8, 2010
With the upcoming changes to health care, we know that you are concerned with making sure all bases are covered. For that reason, we've put together a packet that will guide you through all you need to be prepared for in time for your renewal deadline. To view, click the link above or here.
Legislative Brief: Health Care Reform - DOL Provides Grace Period for Internal Claims and Appeals Rules
September 23, 2010
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) requires non-grandfathered group health plans to adopt an improved internal claims and appeals process and follow minimum requirements for external review. This requirement is generally effective for plan years beginning on or after September 23, 2010.
Legislative Brief: Healthcare Reform - IRS Release Information on Claiming Small Employer Health Care Tax Credit
September 16, 2010
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was enacted on March 23, 2010. PPACA includes a tax credit for small businesses that provide health care coverage to their employees. The tax credit is effective for tax years beginning in 2010. The credit is designed to encourage small employers to offer health insurance coverage for the first time or maintain coverage they already have.
Legislative Brief: Healthcare Reform - Nondiscrimination Rules Apply to New Fully-Insured Group Health Plans
September 16, 2010
Under health care reform, some fully-insured group health plans will be required to comply for the first time with federal nondiscrimination rules related to compensation. These rules prohibit discrimination in favor of highly-compensated individuals (HCIs). They will apply to non-grandfathered fully-insured plans only and are effective for plan years beginning on or after September 23, 2010.
Legislative Brief: Health Care Reform - Applications for Early Retire Reinsurance Program Now Being Accepted
September 9, 2010
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) provides for the establishment of an Early Retiree Reinsurance Program (ERRP) to provide reimbursement to participating employer-based plans that provide coverage to early retirees.
Legislative Brief: Health Care Reform - Federal External Review and Model Appeals Notices
September 9, 2010
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) requires non-grandfathered group health plans and health insurance coverage to adopt an improved internal claims and appeal process and to follow minimum requirements for external review.
Legislative Brief: Health Care Reform - IRS Issues More Information for Employers on Over-the-Counter Drugs
September 9, 2010
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) changed the requirements related to reimbursements for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. These changes affect health FSAs, HRAs, HSAs and Archer MSAs, which will need a prescription to reimburse the costs of OTC drugs purchased after December 31, 2010.
Legislative Brief: Health Care Reform - Preventive Care Coverage Guidelines Issued
August 23, 2010
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires new health plans to cover preventive health services without imposing cost-sharing requirements for the services.
Legislative Brief: Health Care Reform - Potential Penalties For Employers Under the “Pay or Play” Rules
August 23, 2010
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (together, PPACA), brings many changes to employers and health plans.
The Affordable Care Act’s New Patients’ Bill of Rights
August 23, 2010
Under new health care guidelines, patients need to know their rights. This article explains what those entail.
Grandfathered Health Plan: Model Notice
August 12, 2010
To maintain status as a grandfathered health plan, a plan or health insurance coverage must include a statement, in any plan materials provided to a participant or beneficiary, describing the benefits provided under the plan or health insurance coverage.
Legislative Brief: Transition Relief Available For Grandfathered Plans
August 11, 2010
The health care reform law exempts “grandfathered” plans from certain health care reform requirements, such as no
cost-sharing for preventive care and other patient protections.
Fact Sheet: Keeping the Health Plan You Have
June 16, 2010
The Affordable Care Act gives American families and businesses more control over their health care by providing greater benefits and protections for family members and employees.