cmonfils | January 1, 2012
On December 16, 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) released an essential health benefits bulletin (pdf) that describes a proposed regulatory approach that the HHS will use to define essential health benefits (EHB) under the Affordable Care Act. The health care reform law requires that, beginning in 2014, health plans offered in the individual and small group markets, including those to be offered in the future health insurance exchanges, provide a package of benefits and services considered “essential.” While the Act does not specify the EHBs that must be covered by each plan, it does state that as of January 1, 2014, non-grandfathered plans in the individual and small group market and those in the exchanges must provide coverage of benefits or services in the following 10 categories: ambulatory patient services; emergency services; hospitalization; maternity and newborn care; mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment; prescription drugs; rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices; laboratory services; preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management; and pediatric services, including oral and vision care. In addition, the Act mandates that the scope of EHBs must be equal to the scope of benefits provided under a “typical” employer plan.
Category: Health Care Legislation, HHS, PPACA |
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cmonfils | January 1, 2012
Small businesses in Oregon will find themselves paying more for health insurance if a 4.5% rate request by Regence BlueCross BlueShield is approved by the Oregon Insurance Division.
A public hearing on this rate request, which would take effect in April 2012 and impact 47,806 members, is scheduled for 2 p.m. on January 5 at the Labor and Industries Building in Salem. People can also submit written comments until January 7 by going to http://www.oregonhealthrates.org/
Category: Health Insurance, Oregon |
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cmonfils | January 1, 2012
In the last few days, the IRS and DOL have released some important items and information regarding the Form 5500. This technical update discusses these new items and information.
One-participant plans. An employer that sponsors a one-participant plan may file a Form 5500-EZ on paper with the IRS or the Form 5500-SF electronically with the DOL. Many 5500 preparers have been reticent to recommend the use of the Form 5500-SF for their one-participant plans because the forms are publicly disclosed on the DOL website once filed. The IRS has announced in its online Employee Plans Newsletter (December 20, 2011) that, beginning on January 1, 2012, a one-participant plan filing a Form 5500-SF will not be publicly disclosed on the DOL website. By removing this impediment to electronic filing, the IRS apparently is hoping to encourage more one-participant plans to file electronically.
Category: Form 5500 |
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cmonfils | January 1, 2012
As the cost of health insurance continues to rise, midstate employers large and small are trying hard to maintain accustomed levels of the benefit for their employees, company leaders said.
Category: Health Insurance |
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cmonfils | January 1, 2012
Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich has been pounded by his opponents for once backing a mandate that people buy health insurance. But he has received little attention for another health care idea that he has explored and that also could prove controversial.
The lesser known proposal would encourage people to purchase insurance by giving them tax credits or deductions. Those who don’t buy insurance and need care would get it through hospitals and clinics serving the poor, which would receive subsidies not claimed by individuals.
Category: Health Insurance |
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cmonfils | January 1, 2012
WASHINGTON — Chief Justice John Roberts said Saturday that he has “complete confidence” in his colleagues’ ability to step away from cases where their personal interests are at stake, and noted that judges should not be swayed by “partisan demands.”
The comment, included in Roberts’ year-end report, comes after lawmakers demanded that two Justices recuse themselves from the high court’s review of President Barack Obama’s health care law aimed at extending coverage to more than 30 million people. Republicans want Justice Elena Kagan off the case because of her work in the Obama administration as solicitor general, whereas Democrats say Justice Clarence Thomas should back away because of his wife’s work with groups that opposed changes to the law.
http://www.localwireless.com/wap/news/text.jsp?sid=254&nid=792177481&cid=10009&scid=-1&ith=3&title=National+News&headtitle=National+News%22
Category: Health Care Legislation, Supreme Court |
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