Employee Benefits
HHS Plans to Delay Key Aspect of SHOP Exchanges (UPDATED 4/3/2013)
On March 11, 2013, HHS issued a proposed rule that would amend some of the standards for SHOP Exchanges.
> Keep ReadingHow will Enrollment in Health Insurance Exchanges Work?
Exchanges will allow for direct comparisons of private health insurance options based on price, quality and other factors and will coordinate eligibility for premium tax credits and other affordability programs. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) calls for the creation of state-based competitive marketplaces, known as Affordable Health Insurance Exchanges (Exchanges), for individuals and small businesses…
> Keep ReadingHHS Releases Final Minimum Value Guidance and Calculator
On Feb. 25, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule on essential health benefits. The final rule outlines three approaches for determining whether an employer’s health coverage provides minimum value under ACA. In connection with the final rule, HHS also released its Minimum Value Calculator, or MV Calculator. Beginning in 2014, to…
> Keep Reading“Pay or Play” Penalty: Identifying Your Full-time Employees
Effective Jan. 1, 2014, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) imposes a penalty on large employers that do not offer minimum essential coverage to “substantially all” full-time employees and dependents. Large employers that do offer coverage may still be liable for a penalty if the coverage is unaffordable or does not provide minimum value.
> Keep ReadingExchange Notice Requirements Delayed
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires employers to provide all new hires and current employees with a written notice about ACA’s health insurance exchanges (Exchanges), effective March 1, 2013. On Jan. 24, 2013, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that employers will not be held to the March 1, 2013, deadline. They will not have…
> Keep ReadingMLR Rebates: A Guide for Employers
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s (PPACA) minimum Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) provisions require insurers to provide rebates to group health plans purchasing insurance, if the issuer does not spend a minimum percentage of the premium on medical claims and certain quality improvement initiatives. Depending on the employer and plan type, those rebates will…
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