In 2009, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) commonly referred to as “Obamacare” was signed into law with an effective date of 2014. In an effort to help cities and towns prepare for the changes, we held regional workshops in April 2013 and published articles. Links to these articles and more can be found below.
News:
By October 1, 2013 – Employers Must Provide “Notice of Exchange” to All Employees
Health Care Reform enacted in 2010 under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) imposed new obligations on employers and group health plans. One employer obligation is to provide a notice to all employees regarding the upcoming availability of health insurance marketplaces beginning in 2014.
Download a blank copy of the Notice to Employees of Marketplace Exchange Coverage Options. Employers must provide the Notice in writing to all existing employees no later than October 1, 2013. Each new employee must also be provided the Notice at the time of hire but no later than within 14 days of an employee’s start date. The Notice can be furnished by hand delivery to the employee; first-class mail, or electronically in a manner that meets the requirements of the Department of Labor’s electronic disclosure safe harbor rules (see 29 CFR 2520.104b-1(c) Disclosures through electronic media).
Please note that completing questions #13 through #16 or page 3 of the Notice (referring to plan costs and plan design changes on page 3) is optional for employers. This is a judgment call for each municipality as to what you provide the employees.
Employer Penalties of PPACA Delayed Until 2015
On July 2, 2013, the U.S. Department of Treasury announced that the PPACA employer penalties and related reporting requirements will be delayed until 2015, giving more time for what they call “careful and thoughtful planning.” These potential penalties affect employers with 50 or more employees who work at least 30 hours per week (including into the calculation part-time and seasonal employees). We will bring you more information on this delay and what it means in the coming weeks.
Note: This delay does not impact the PPACA provisions related to small employers with regards to community ratings and deductible limitations that may still result in significant premium increases for small employers with fully insured plans.
Articles
Treasury Ensures Fair Treatment for Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Under the Affordable Care Act -Treasury Notes Blog, Mark J. Mazur, Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy on January 10, 2014
Red Light: Treasury Delays PPACA Employer Penalties – Blog Posting by Jim Hamilton, Partner, Bose McKinney & Evans L.L.P. on July 3, 2013
U.S. Department of Treasury Announces PPACA Penalty Delay – Web Posting by Mark J. Mazur, Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy at the U.S. Department of the Treasury on July 2, 2013
Large Municipalities (and Potential Large Liabilities) Under the PPACA – Article published in May-June 2013 Actionlines magazine, written by Jim Hamilton, Partner, Bose McKinney & Evans L.L.P.
Too Small For PPACA? Probably Not! – Article published in May-June 2013 Actionlines magazine, written by Jim Hamilton, Partner, Bose McKinney & Evans L.L.P.
Plan Today or Pay Tomorrow – What Federal Healthcare Reform Means for Cities and Towns – Article published in March-April 2013 Actionlines magazine, written by Ann Cottongim, Aim Deputy Director & CFO