| Official Health Reform Website |
| The US government has launched a website to make key provisions of the Accountable Care Act (ACA) clear to the general public - us! |
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| Summary of the Health Reform Law and Implementation Timeline |
| You can find a surprisingly readable summary highlighting the key provisions of the Affordable Care Act and the implementation timeline. |
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| Small Employer Health Care Tax Credits began in 2010 |
New tax credits are designed to assist small businesses and not-for-profit organizations afford the cost of providing health insurance for their employees.
If you have fewer than 25 employees and your average annual wages are below $50,000, you may qualify for a small business tax credit of up to 35% (up to 25% for not-for-profits) to offset the cost of the health insurance you provide for your employees.
You may exclude owner compensation in the calculation of average annual wages.
Determine whether you are eligible for a tax credit. |
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| Key Benefit Changes in Employer Plans |
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| Full Coverage for Preventive Care |
All plans will cover at no additional cost many preventive health services for children and adults.
Covered age appropriate preventive services include: |
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Blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol tests |
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Many cancer screenings, including mammograms and colonoscopies |
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Counseling on such topics as quitting smoking, losing weight, eating healthfully, treating depression, and reducing alcohol use |
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Routine vaccinations against diseases such as measles, polio, or meningitis |
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Flu and pneumonia shots |
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Counseling, screening, and vaccines to ensure healthy pregnancies |
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Regular well-baby and well-child visits, from birth to age 21 |
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| The HHS issued new guidelines for Preventive Services for Women that will be covered with no cost-sharing in plan years starting on or after August 1, 2012. |
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| Elimination of Lifetime Limits and Annual Limits |
| Lifetime limits on most benefits are prohibited in any health plan or insurance policy and the new law restricts and phases out the annual dollar limits on all job-related plans |
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| Coverage for Young Adults up to Age 26 |
You may keep your children on your health insurance until age 26. At your next open enrollment you may add your children back on the plan.
Learn more |
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| New Restriction in Flexible Spending and Health Spending Accounts (FSA’s and HSA’s) 2011 |
| Over the counter medications are no longer an eligible expense—unless you have obtained a prescription from your physician. |
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| New Controls on Health Insurance Premiums 2011 |
| The ACA creates a Rate Review program in each state. Starting September 1, 2011, health insurers must justify any rate increase of 10% or more before the increase can take effect. |
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For small employer plans, (less than 50 employees) the law requires that at least 80% of the premium dollars be spent on health care and quality improvement. For large employer plans (not self-insured) the requirement is 85% of the premium.
Employers will receive a rebate for any premiums collected that do not meet these minimums.
Learn more |
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