The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia upheld a rule that expanded the maximum length of time for short-term, limited duration insurance (STLDI). STLDI is coverage that lasts a limited period of time and is exempt from many of the requirements that apply to plans in the individual health insurance market. Concerned that STLDI [&hellip… Continue Reading »
The U.S. Departments of the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services have jointly issued final rules modifying the definition of short-term, limited-duration insurance (STLDI). STLDI provides health coverage that is intended to be transitional in nature. It is not regarded as individual health insurance or minimum essential coverage and is exempt from certain Affordable [&hellip… Continue Reading »
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on Tuesday released final regulations modifying the Association Health Plan (AHP) rules to expand their availability for small and large employers and to address their affordability by eliminating certain coverage requirements applicable to qualified health plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The regulations aim to balance the need [&hellip… Continue Reading »
Following up on the direction provided by Executive Order 13813, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued proposed regulations that would expand the ability of small employers to band together and provide coverage under a single Association Health Plan (AHP). Under the new rules: AHPs may be formed by employers that are engaged in [&hellip… Continue Reading »
The U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury have finalized regulations under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that address certain exceptions under the ACA. Among other things, the regulations: Define “essential health benefits” for purposes of identifying plans that are (and are not) subject to the ACA prohibition against annual and [&hellip… Continue Reading »
The Internal Revenue Service, in Notice 2014-69, has concluded that certain unconventional group health plan designs that offer limited or no coverage for in-patient hospitalization services and/or physician services will not provide “minimum value.” Consequently, this may expose large employers to financial penalties under the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) “pay-or-play” employer mandate. These plans, sometimes [&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 Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of Labor, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have jointly released final regulations and new FAQs implementing the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA). MHPAEA provisions generally became effective for plan years beginning on or after October 3, 2009, with [&hellip… Continue Reading »
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued final regulations and a set of frequently asked questions and answers establishing standards for the provision of essential health benefits in the individual and small group insurance markets, both inside and outside of an Exchange. In large part, the final rules adopt standards set forth in the proposed regulations [&hellip… Continue Reading »
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued two sets of proposed regulations issued under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that will affect the design, availability, and cost of health insurance plans, primarily in the individual and small group markets. Most significantly, HHS has published proposed regulations defining the “essential health benefits” [&hellip… Continue Reading »
On February 17, 2012, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a set of FAQs concerning the Essential Health Benefits Bulletin it issued on December 16, 2011. The FAQs offer new guidance and raise new questions about the scope of what is considered an essential health benefit (EHB) for purposes of applying [&hellip… Continue Reading »
Although the pace of new legislation affecting health and other welfare benefits has slowed after the first two years of the Obama Administration, plan sponsors will find no shortage of developments to monitor and implement in 2012. This alert provides a very brief review of recent developments and matters to watch in the new calendar [&hellip… Continue Reading »
