Summary The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, (CAA) and transparency regulations introduced major changes to health benefit plans. These changes continue to evolve with some requirements just now taking effect. The Upshot The Bottom Line The CAA introduced requirements that affect how much plans must pay in certain surprise situations, how plans must document compliance with [&hellip… Continue Reading »
Changes are imminent for the Affordable Care Act and a range of other laws and regulations affecting the health care industry. Ballard Spahr attorneys established a Health Care Reform Initiative in 2008 to monitor and analyze health care reform developments. This Health Care Reform Dashboard was a product of that initiative. We intend to continue following [&hellip… Continue Reading »
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued an updated template Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC), Glossary of Coverage and Medical Terms, and related materials. The revised materials remain in proposed form, but have been sent to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget with a request that the templates and glossary be approved [&hellip… Continue Reading »
In a new frequently asked question (FAQ) released by the U.S. Departments of Labor (DOL), Treasury, and Health and Human Services on March 30, 2015, the agencies advised the public that they intend to finalize the summary of benefits and coverage (SBC) regulations (proposed on December 30, 2014 and described below) in time to apply [&hellip… Continue Reading »
In a wide-ranging set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and other guidance, the U.S. Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services have addressed a number of issues pertaining to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). They include issues pertaining to COBRA and the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA), annual cost-sharing limits, preventive care, [&hellip… Continue Reading »
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has published guidance on the notice that most employers must provide to their employees by October 1, 2013, about the insurance that will be available through health care marketplaces known as “exchanges.” The guidance includes three model notices. Under the Affordable Care Act, employers offering health coverage must notify employees [&hellip… Continue Reading »
The U.S. Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services have issued additional guidance on the Affordable Care Act. The guidance primarily takes the form of a new set of frequently asked questions(FAQs). The new FAQs address a variety of subjects, including: Postponement of the March 1, 2013, effective date to begin distributing [&hellip… Continue Reading »
