Despite becoming law over four years ago, the Affordable Care Act continues to make headlines. Since it's not easy to keep track of all the changes, let's take a look at some of the more significant recent developments. Elimination of Small Group Deductible Limits A significant ACA...
Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance issuers in the individual and group markets are generally required to guarantee insurance coverage to every employer and individual that applies. Beginning in 2015, this guarantee will extend to same-sex spouses. On March 14, 2014, the Department of Health...
On February 10, 2014, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued final regulations implementing the employer responsibility provisions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Despite being previously delayed, the final regulations provide transition relief to employers with 50 or...
As 2013 comes to an end, many are making plans and resolutions for the New Year. 2014 is also a big year for the Affordable Care Act, as many of the Act’s provisions go into effect, such as: Individual Mandate. Under the Act, most individuals who...
The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury issued final rules implementing the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (Act). Though interim final rules implementing the Act were published and became effective in 2010,...
On September 11, 2013, the United States Department of Labor announced that employers will not be fined or penalized under the Affordable Care Act for failing to provide employees with notice about coverage options available through the ACA’s Health Insurance Marketplace (Exchanges). This comes just...
Shortly before the July 4th holiday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that enforcement of the Employer Shared Responsibility requirement under the Affordable Care Act (Act) will be delayed until 2015. The employer mandate, which generally requires employers with at least 50 full-time or...
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), employers are required to give employees written notice about their options for purchasing health insurance through Affordable Insurance Exchanges (Health Insurance Marketplaces). Though the original March 1, 2013 deadline was delayed, the Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced the...
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released final rules pursuant to the Affordable Care Act (Act) that are designed to help consumers shop for and compare health insurance options in the individual and small group markets. According to the HHS, these final rules...
The Affordable Care Act’s Individual Shared Responsibility provision requires nonexempt individuals to obtain minimum essential coverage for themselves and any nonexempt dependents. Starting January 1, 2014, those failing to get the required health insurance will have to pay a monthly penalty. Who is subject to the...