Additional Healthcare Reform Sources
For a complete (974 page) version of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or Healthcare Reform go to http://docs.house.gov/energycommerce/ppacacon.pdf.
HealthCare.gov Website
HealthCare.gov launched in late June 2011. It’s a website set up by the government that’s designed to help people take control of their healthcare needs.
This new website was initiated so anyone can go online and find sources of health coverage, both private insurers and public plans. It has information on Children’s Pre-Existing Conditions, Patient’s Bill of Rights, Preventive Care and many other provisions. It also has dates on when new Healthcare Reform mandates will go into effect and what they are. Go to http://www.healthcare.gov/ to learn more.
Healthcare Reform Video
Click on the link below to view a series of short videos explaining more of what you need to know about Healthcare Reform. http://www.benefitfocusmedia.com/videolibrary/#/videolibrary/list/healthcare_reform.
Early Retiree Reinsurance Program (ERRP)
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is now accepting applications for ERRP. On June 29, 2010, the Department published the official ERRP Program Application, official ERRP Application Instructions, and Application Submission Dos and Don’ts (including the address for submitting an application). www.hhs.gov/ociio/regulations/errp/index.html.
For the latest on EERP and a list of the Top 5 Things to Know please visit: http://www.errp.gov.
This site contains useful information such as:
- How to apply
- Frequently asked questions
- Educational materials for sponsors that describe how to complete the necessary steps to receive reimbursement
FSA, HSA, HRA and MSAs — Over-the-Counter Restrictions
Healthcare Reform changed the requirements related to reimbursements for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. These changes affect health FSAs, HRAs, HSAs and Archer MSAs, which will need a prescription to reimburse the costs of OTC drugs purchased after December 31, 2010. See www.ecfc.org/files/legislative-news/n-10-59.pdf for a copy of the notice.
Small Business Healthcare Tax Information
Three Simple Steps for Employers to Qualify
To determine whether your small business or tax-exempt organization qualifies for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit, follow the three simple steps on the IRS fact sheet.
Examples
Scenarios illustrate how the credit applies to employers in different circumstances.
Claiming the Credit
Both small businesses and tax-exempt organizations will use new Form 8941 to calculate the small business healthcare tax credit. A draft form is currently available for viewing.
Interim Final Rules on The New Appeals Process
For a complete copy of the regulations, see www.federalregister.gov/a/2010-18043.
High-Risk Health Insurance Pool Program
Healthcare Reform requires the establishment of a temporary high-risk health insurance pool program to provide affordable health insurance coverage to uninsured individuals with pre-existing conditions. A complete copy of the rule is available at www.federalregister.gov/a/2010-18691.
