On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed comprehensive health reform; the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), into law. Many of the provisions of the law will take place over a number of years. Below you will find information on the act along with some of the current time tables.
Important Healthcare Reform Laws:
2010
March 23 – Small group tax credit, effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2009.
June 29– Early retiree reinsurance program.
July 1– Temporary high-risk pool for individuals with pre-existing conditions.
2012
January 1 – Summary of benefits and coverage (formerly uniform explanation of coverage) Pre-enrollment document sent explaining benefits and exclusions 60-day notice for material modifications, if not provided in uniform explanation of coverage.
2014
Individual mandate
State-based exchanges for individuals and small groups.
Small employer tax credits available only in exchange.
Elimination of health status rating and other rating factors if used by an insurer.
Small group redefined as 1-100 (in most states).
2011
January 1 – No prescribed, over-the-counter medications20% tax for nonqualified HSA withdrawals. Reporting the value of employer-sponsored coverage on W-2sAutomatic enrollment in new long-term care program with ability for employees to opt out.
2013
January 1 – Employee notification of exchanges and premium subsidies FSA contributions limited to $2,500 per year.
October 1, 2013 – Fee for comparative effectiveness research agency for Fiscal Year 2013.
2018
January 1 – 40% excise tax on high-cost “Cadillac” plans