On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law the health care reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This legislation, along with the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, makes sweeping changes to the U.S. health care system. These changes will be implemented over the next several years.
Higginbotham is committed to providing frequent updates on health care reform activity so you can plan accordingly and remain in compliance. Check back here often for the most recent legislative changes.
Leading News
On May 8, the DOL issued highly-anticipated guidance in the form of a Technical Release on the requirement for most employers (those subject to the FLSA) to provide written notice to employees about health insurance Exchanges. The Technical Release clarifies which employers are subject to the notice rule, which employees must be given the notice and how and when the notice must be provided. The notices will have to be provided to current employees by Oct. 1, 2013 and to new employees beginning that date. The DOL provided model notices for employers to use in meeting the notice requirement. Learn more in this Legislative Brief.
The IRS published a proposed rule on the minimum value and affordability rules under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on May 3, 2013. The rule provides guidance on determining whether health coverage under an employer-sponsored plan is affordable and provides minimum value for purposes of determining the employer “pay or play” penalties. The proposed regulation includes special rules related to HRAs, HSAs and wellness programs and proposes new safe harbor plan designs for determining minimum value. These rules would apply beginning with the 2014 tax year. Learn more in this Legislative Brief.
Resources
Health Care Reform Timeline—A detailed summary of requirements from 2010 through 2018.
Health Care Reform Timeline—A snapshot of requirements from 2010 through 2018.
Health Care Reform Activity
January 24, 2013—DOL Delays Exchange Notice Requirements
June 28, 2012—Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Reform Law
May 30, 2012—IRS Provides Guidance on $2,500 Health FSA Limit
March 23, 2012—Health Plan Summary of Benefits and Coverage
February 9, 2012—Status of DOL Model FMLA Forms
December 2, 2011—Final Regulations Issued on Medical Loss Ratio
November 14, 2011—IRS Q&A on Form W-2 Reporting
July 8, 2011—Interim Final Rule on Administrative Simplification
June 24, 2011—DOL Amends Interim Final Rule on Appeals Process
June 17, 2011—Waiver Program for Annual Limits Will Close to Applications
