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Employer Shared Responsibility Rules Delayed Until 2015

In the most significant health reform development for employers since the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the employer shared responsibility rules (often called the “employer mandate” or “pay or play rules”) have been delayed until 2015. 

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Final Rules For Wellness Plans Released

The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury (The Departments) have issued final wellness program rules. The new final rules are based on the existing HIPAA wellness rules and the requirements contained in proposed rules issued in November 2012.

 

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Department of Labor Releases Model Notice of Exchange

The Department of Labor (DOL) has released guidance and model notice language for employers to use to meet the Affordable Care Act (ACA)employee exchange notice requirement. The guidance can be found at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/newsroom/tr13-02.html.

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Modifications to the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules Released

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued regulations modifying the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy, security, and enforcement rules. The changes strengthen the privacy and security protection for individuals’ health information, modify the rule for breach notifications, and extend HIPAA compliance obligations to additional entities.

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Small Employer “Choice Option” Delayed on Federal SHOP Exchange

In more Employee Benefits Day news, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that one of the options planned for small group insurance purchased through federally operated exchanges will be delayed until 2015. Under what is referred to as the “choice option,” small employers will be able to select a level of coverage (i.e. bronze, silver, gold, or platinum coverage tier), and participating employees would be allowed to choose from any carrier offering coverage within that tier.

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Is Your Organization Part of a Controlled Group? Common Controlled Group Basics

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has placed new emphasis on the need to determine when and if related organizations must be treated as a single employer for purposes of meeting various ACA requirements. Simply setting up different companies under separate tax ID numbers does not relieve related employers from being treated as a single employer under controlled group rules.

 

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Employer Plan Cost Sharing Rules and a Minimum Value Calculator are Released

 The IRS and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have released a preliminary version of an employer plan minimum value (MV) calculator. The MV calculator is designed to assist employers in determining whether an employer-sponsored health plan meets minimum value requirements contained in the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

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