The following offer quick links to recent news:
Final Rules Released for Summary of Benefits and Coverage and Uniform Glossary – On February 14, 2012, the U.S. Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the final rules regarding the Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) and Uniform Glossary required by the Affordable Care Act. These rules require all health plans to make the SBC and glossary available to purchasers and enrollees at renewal or during open enrollment. The SBC is intended to provide information regarding benefits, costs, and limitations of the health plan to consumers in plain language. The Uniform Glossary provides definitions of common health insurance terms.
To view the final rule, click here.
To view a sample completed SBC, click here and to view the Uniform Glossary, click here.
Announcement Regarding Women’s Preventive Services - On February 10, 2012, the Obama administration indicated that the final rule would include an accommodation for nonprofit religious employers who oppose contraception; if an employer has a religious objection to providing contraceptive services as part of its health plan, coverage will be offered to women by their employers’ insurance companies directly, with no cost-sharing. Certain religious organizations remain exempt from this requirement.
Click here to read the White House press release.
Tax Information Regarding the Marriage Equality Law – The Marriage Equality Act of July 24, 2011, ensures that same-sex couples be treated the same as different-sex couples under the laws of New York State. The passage of this act affects employer tax withholding when it comes to certain benefits, such as health benefits that are treated as domestic partner health benefits for federal tax purposes.
Click here to learn more about the tax effects of the Marriage Equality Act.
Click here to review the New York State’s tax withholding requirements for health benefits for same-sex married employees.
News Release Regarding Final Rule for Women’s Preventive Services – On January 20, 2012, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a news release regarding the upcoming final rule for coverage of women’s preventive services by health insurance plans. The final rule will give nonprofit employers that, based on religious beliefs, do not currently provide contraceptive coverage in their insurance plan, until August 1, 2013, to come into compliance with the requirement to cover all recommended preventive services including approved forms of contraception, without cost-sharing. Certain religious organizations remain exempt from this requirement.
Click here to read the news release.
Click here to learn more about the current guidelines for coverage of women’s preventive care.
Brooklyn HealthWorks is now offering a lower-cost high deductible Healthy NY plan for individuals and sole proprietors in Brooklyn. Previously, Brooklyn HealthWorks only offered coverage to small businesses with 2-50 workers. Visit their website to learn more.