Benefits Forward

The agencies released proposed guidance on the funding of contraceptive coverage by self-insured religiously affiliated entities. Document Excerpt This advance notice of proposed rulemaking announces the intention of the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury to propose amendments to regulations regarding certain preventive health services under provisions of the Patient Protection [...]

HHS issues final regulations on the minimum requirements States must meet when establishing Exchanges. The regulations will not be published until 3/27/2012. Document Excerpt SUMMARY: This final rule will implement the new Affordable Insurance Exchanges (“Exchanges”), consistent with title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 as amended by the Health [...]

The Departments of Health & Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issue additional guidance on essential health benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Document Excerpt  On December 16, 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a Bulletini describing the approach it intends to take in future rulemaking to define [...]

The HHS Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight has released additional Qs and As on waivers from the annual limits under the Afordable Care Act. Document Excerpt Q:  A health insurance issuer has received from HHS a waiver of the annual dollar limit requirements pursuant to section 2711 of the PHS Act for a group [...]

Several states have filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court supporting the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act. Document Excerpt Does Congress have the power, under Article I of the Constitution, to enact the minimum-coverage provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, 26 U.S.C. § 5000A, which requires nonexempt individuals to [...]

HHS has published a final rule implementing provisions regarding the reporting of gross covered retiree plan related prescription drug costs and retained rebates by Retiree Drug Subsidy sponsors. Document Excerpt This final rule implements and finalizes provisions regarding the reporting of gross covered retiree planrelated prescription drug costs (gross retiree costs) and retained rebates by [...]

The Departments release a completed Summary of Benefits and Coverage template. Document Excerpt Link http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/SBCtemplate.pdf

HHS releases proposd guidance on certain Exchange functions and determinations of eligibility. Document Excerpt This proposed rule would implement certain functions of the new Affordable Insurance Exchanges (‘‘Exchanges’’), consistent with title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, referred [...]

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has posted additional guidance on what plan sponsors who use Early Retiree Reinsurance Program (ERRP) reimbursements to reduce health benefit premiums must do to comply with prohibition on using ERRP reimbursement as general revenue. Document Excerpt  This guidance is intended to give plan sponsors some flexibility in applying [...]

The agencies have issued an amendment to the rules governing coverage of preventive services. Document Excerpt This document contains amendments to the interim final regulations implementing the rules for group health plans and health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets under provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act regarding preventive health services. [...]