{"id":1,"date":"2010-04-01T00:17:01","date_gmt":"2010-04-01T07:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mnjinsurance.com\/?p=1"},"modified":"2015-11-01T22:14:30","modified_gmt":"2015-11-02T06:14:30","slug":"health-care-reform-timeline-for-group-health-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/health-care-reform-timeline-for-group-health-plans\/","title":{"rendered":"Health Care Reform Timeline for Group Health Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rg_i aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com\/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQFJ7TKjWijzNRWS2zXdKsZCkLt1YXCfu2cWhtnwjypaNcP3AZL\" alt=\"Image result for picture of washington capital\" name=\"JMj1WNzotSS5XM:\" data-sz=\"f\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (HR 3590) was signed by President Obama\u00a0on March 23, 2010 and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act approved by Congress, signed by the President on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 is intended to expand coverage to millions of Americans. Some measures will be implemented in 2010, but many will not take effect until 2014 with some extended out to 2020. A timeline with a high-level overview is provided below. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>It is important to note that many of these reforms and their effective dates are subject to the rules and regulations process both at the state and federal levels, which could alter the intended timing of implementation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2010<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) must provide reasonable breaks and a private space (not a restroom) for mothers to express milk for their infants up to one year of age.\u00a0 The requirement does not apply to small employers (fewer than 50 employees) if it would create undue hardship.\u00a0 The requirement is effective on enactment, but enforcement will not begin until the Department of Labor issues guidance defining terms and enforcement procedures.<\/li>\n<li>Employers who employ 200 or more employees must automatically enroll new full-time employees in group health insurance coverage.\u00a0 Employers must also provide employees with an opportunity to opt out of coverage.\u00a0 Clarification on the effective date of this provision is forthcoming.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Effective 90 days after enactment<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Temporary, national high-risk pool created to provide health coverage for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions.<\/li>\n<li>Temporary re-insurance pool created for employer-sponsored plans providing health coverage to retirees over 55, who are not eligible for Medicare.<\/li>\n<li>Ten percent tax on indoor tanning services applied after July 1, 2010.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Effective the first plan year beginning on or after September 23, 2010<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dependent health care coverage extended to adult children up to age 26.<\/li>\n<li>Denial of coverage of pre-existing conditions prohibited for children.<\/li>\n<li>Limits on lifetime dollar value of health coverage prohibited.<\/li>\n<li>Rescinding health care coverage prohibited, except in the case of fraud on part of beneficiary.<\/li>\n<li>Health plans required to provide preventive care without cost sharing, including certain immunizations; preventive care for infants, children, and adolescents; and certain preventive care and screenings for women.<\/li>\n<li>Prohibition on requiring authorization of the primary care physician before a patient can see an obstetrician or gynecologist.<\/li>\n<li>Tax credits provided to small business (fewer than 25 employees and average salary less than $50,000) that provide employees health care coverage.\u00a0 The employer must pay at least 50% of the cost of coverage to qualify.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2010: Other Effective Dates<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>$250 rebate to Medicare Part D beneficiaries who reach the &#8220;donut hole&#8221; coverage gap in 2010 ($2830 in total drug costs).\u00a0 Rebates expected to begin in July.<\/li>\n<li>Health plans required to report percentage of premium dollars spent on clinical services, quality, and other activities.\u00a0 Effective January 1, 2011, health plans are to pay rebates to consumers if spending on clinical services and quality is below a target level (85% for large groups; 80% for small group and individuals plans).<\/li>\n<li>Adoption tax credit and adoptions assistance exclusion increased by $1000, effective for taxable years after 12\/31\/2009.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2011:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Employers required to report value of employer-provided health coverage on employees&#8217; W-2 form.<\/li>\n<li>Grants provided to small businesses to establish wellness programs.<\/li>\n<li>Pharmaceutical manufacturers required to provide 50% discount on brand-name drugs purchased by Medicare Part D beneficiaries within the &#8220;donut hole&#8221; gap in coverage.<\/li>\n<li>Over-the-counter medications no longer eligible for purchase through HSA or FSA plans, unless prescribed by a physician (in order to make rules consistent for itemized deduction of medical expenses).<\/li>\n<li>Tax on early withdrawal from HSA (before age 65 for non-medical expenses) increased from 10 to 20 percent.<\/li>\n<li>Long-term insurance program, finalized by voluntary payroll deductions, created to provide benefits to adults who become disabled.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2013:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>$2,500 cap set on health care FSA contributions (may increase in subsequent years to keep pace with increases in the Consumer Price Index).<\/li>\n<li>Deduction eliminated for employers who receive Medicare Part D retiree drug subsidy payments.<\/li>\n<li>Begin phase-in of subsidies to eliminate &#8220;donut hole&#8221; gam in Medicare Part D coverage for prescription drugs by 2020.<\/li>\n<li>Threshold for itemized deductions for medical expenses increased from 7.5 to 10 percent.\u00a0 Taxpayers over age 65 can claim itemized deductions at 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income through 2016.<\/li>\n<li>Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) tax rate on wages increased from 1.45 to 2.35 percent on earnings over $200,000 for individual taxpayers and $250,000 for married couples filing jointly.\u00a0 Tax of 3.8 percent applied to unearned income for higher-income taxpayers.<\/li>\n<li>Excise tax of 2.3 percent of the sale of specified medical devices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2014:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>States required to establish health benefit exchanges to facilitate the purchase of health insurance by individuals and small groups.<\/li>\n<li>Individuals required to have minimum essential health care coverage.\u00a0 Those who cannot demonstrate they have coverage will be required to pay a penalty equal to the greater of $95 or 1% of taxable income in 2014 (increasing annually).\u00a0 Individuals, who cannot find a premium that is less than 8 percent of their income, or whose incomes are below the tax filing threshold are exempt.<\/li>\n<li>Employers with 100 or more full-time equivalent &#8220;FTE&#8221; employees penalized for not providing health coverage (if employees without coverage are eligible for a subsidy on insurance exchanges).\u00a0 Penalty is $2,000 per employee, with first 80 employees exempt (transitional relief for 2015).<\/li>\n<li>Employers that offer coverage and contribute to the cost of coverage are required to offer &#8220;free choice vouchers&#8221; to employees with incomes below 400 percent of the federal poverty level and for whom the employer coverage costs between 8 and 9.8 percent of the employee&#8217;s household income to purchase health plans through the exchanges.<\/li>\n<li>Insurers must cover all individuals and employers that apply for coverage.<\/li>\n<li>Denial of coverage for participation in clinical trials is prohibited.<\/li>\n<li>Insurance companies are limited in charging higher rates for higher-risk beneficiaries.\u00a0 Factors allowed for consideration is limited to age, geography, family size, and tobacco use.<\/li>\n<li>Annual dollar limits on essential health coverage is prohibited.<\/li>\n<li>All qualified health plans within an exchange and in the individual and small group markets required to offer the essential health benefits package which includes specified benefits, limits on cost-sharing, and minimum actuarial values in coverage.<\/li>\n<li>Increased small business tax credit for health coverage provided to employees through an exchange.<\/li>\n<li>Health Insurance Provider W-2Reporting on the value of employer-sponsored coverage form 2013 (due January 2014).<\/li>\n<li>Temporary Reinsurance Program Fee enrollment count due November 15, 2014 ($63\/covered life for 2014); Fee sunsets after 2016.<\/li>\n<li>Deadline for certain amendments to Section 125 Cafeteria Plan Documents (December 31, 2014).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2015:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Individual mandate penalty is the greater of $325 per adult or 2% of taxable income.<\/li>\n<li>Employer-shared responsibility penalty begins for employers with 100+ FTE.<\/li>\n<li>W-2 Reporting on the value of employer-sponsored coverage for 2014 (January 2015).<\/li>\n<li>First installment of 2014 Temporary Reinsurance Program Fee due by January 15, 2015.<\/li>\n<li>Comparative Effectiveness Research Fee &#8220;PCORI&#8221; continues (return\/fees due by July 31, 2015).<\/li>\n<li>Temporary Reinsurance Program Fee enrollment count due by November 15, 2015 ($44\/covered life for 2015).<\/li>\n<li>Second installment of 2015 Temporary Reinsurance Program Fee due by November 15, 2015.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2016:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Individual mandate penalty is the greater of $695 or 2.5% of taxable income.<\/li>\n<li>Employer-shared responsibility penalty begins for employers with 50+ FTE.<\/li>\n<li>First installment of 2015 Temporary Reinsurance Program Fee due by January 15, 2016.<\/li>\n<li>Large Employer Reporting to IRS (Section 6055) on 2015 coverage offered to full-time employees.\u00a0 This includes employer reporting to employees by January 31, 2016.<\/li>\n<li>W-2 Reporting on the value of employer-sponsored coverage for 2015 (January 2016).<\/li>\n<li>Comparative Effective Research Program Fee\/PCORI continues (return\/fees due by July 31).<\/li>\n<li>Temporary Reinsurance Program Fee enrollment count due by November 15, 2015 (final year); national per capita rate for 2016 set in 2015.<\/li>\n<li>Second installment of 2015 Temporary Reinsurance Program Fee due by November 15, 2016.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2017:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0Individual mandate penalty is greater of $695 (indexed)\/adult or 2.5% of taxable income.<\/li>\n<li>Exchanges may permit large employer to purchase Exchange coverage.<\/li>\n<li>Employer shared responsibility penalty continues.<\/li>\n<li>First installment of 2016 Temporary Reinsurance Program Fee due by January 15, 2017.<\/li>\n<li>W-2 Reporting on the value of employer-sponsored coverage for 2016 (January 2017).<\/li>\n<li>Large Employer Reporting to IRS (Section 6055) on 2016 coverage offered to full-time employees.\u00a0 This includes employer reporting to employees by January 31, 2017.<\/li>\n<li>Comparative Effectiveness Research Fee\/PCORI continue (return\/fees due by July 31).<\/li>\n<li>Second installment of 2016 Temporary Reinsurance Program Fee due by November 15, 2017.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2018:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>20% Excise Tax on health plans that cost above $10,200 (single) and $27,500 (family), indexed to the CPI-U.<\/li>\n<li>Individual mandate and employer shared responsibility penalties continue.<\/li>\n<li>Large employer reporting to the IRS on 2017 coverage offered to full-time employees.\u00a0 This includes the employer reporting to employees by January 31, 2018.<\/li>\n<li>W-2 Reporting on the value of employer-sponsored coverage for 2017 (January 2018).<\/li>\n<li>Comparative Effectiveness Research Fee\/PCORI continue (return\/fees due by July 31).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Effective Dates to be Determined in Regulation:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Auto-enrollment of new hires (awaiting guidance).<\/li>\n<li>Reporting related to transparency in coverage for non-grandfathered plans, not sooner than 2015.<\/li>\n<li>Quality reporting (for non-grandfathered plans, awaiting guidance).<\/li>\n<li>Nondiscrimination rules for insured plans (for non-grandfathered plans, awaiting guidance).<\/li>\n<li>Plans certify compliance with HIPAA EDI standards and operating rules (proposed deadline: December 31, 2015).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em><strong>Disclaimer:\u00a0 This document is for general information purposes only.\u00a0 While we have attempted to provide current, accurate and clearly expressed information, this information is provided &#8220;as is&#8221; and we make no representations or warranties regarding its accuracy or completeness.\u00a0 PPACA\u00a0regulations\u00a0are subject to change.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>The information provided should not be construed as legal or tax advice or as a recommendation of any kind.\u00a0 External users should see professional advice from their own attorneys and tax and benefit plan advisers with respect to their individual circumstances and needs.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (HR 3590) was signed by President Obama\u00a0on March 23, 2010 and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act approved by Congress, signed by the President on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 is intended to expand coverage to millions of Americans. Some measures will be implemented in 2010, but many&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3754,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[35],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3754"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}