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Are you ready for the upcoming 2014 provisions of the new healthcare reform act? Do you know what the implications are to you as a small or midsize company? Our webinar will help you become familiar with upcoming requirements under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Expect to learn the following and more: What is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act How does an organization determine their 2014 cost to comply? What should organizations be doing now to prepare?
Citation preview
To protect the confidential and proprietary information included in this material, it may not be disclosed or provided to any third parties without the approval of Aon Hewitt.
Health Care Reform Update:The Road AheadPresented May 9, 2013
2Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
Agenda
IntroductionHealth Care Reform – The Road AheadQ&A
3Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
Introduction
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)– Also known as:
• The Affordable Care Act (ACA)• “Obamacare”• Health Care Reform (HCR)
Co-employment and the Affordable Care Act (ACA)– No PEO-specific provisions in the ACA– PEO clients should be looked at separately from the PEO in terms of complying with the law,
based on legislative history and guidance from AlphaStaff compliance resources and ERISA counsel• Employer Play or Pay requirement• Nondiscrimination testing (postponed)• Small Business Tax Credits
All AlphaStaff-sponsored major medical plans are fully insured and are compliant with current ACA requirements and will continue to be updated as new provisions become effective.
4Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
The Rules of Health Care Reform
Deal with what you know Apply the “Jello” Theory
Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
Current State of PPACA
Health Insurance Exchanges with Reformed Rules
Expanding/Improving Coverage Paying for Expanded Coverage
OptionalState Expansion of
Medicaid
EmployerMandate
“IndividualMandate”—now a
“Shared Responsibility Payment”
Federal Subsidies To Buy Health Insurance
In Exchanges
Medicare/MedicaidPayment Changes
Taxation of High-Cost Employer
Health Care Coverage
Increase in Other Taxes
= Direct impact to employers
= Indirect impact to employers
= Direct and indirect impact to employers
Increased MedicareTaxes on High-
Income Individuals
ACA Penalties on Employer
1 Supreme Court ruled states could decline to expand Medicaid eligibility without losing existing Medicaid funding 2 Supreme Court ruled “mandate” is a tax on not having health insurance
5
Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
2011 Plan Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2018
• Lifetime dollar limits on
Essential Health Benefits
(EHB) prohibited*
• Preexisting Condition
Exclusions Prohibited for
Children under 19*
• Overly restrictive annual
dollar limits on EHB
prohibited*
• Extension of Adult Child
Coverage to Age 26*
• Prohibition on Rescissions*
• No Cost Sharing and
Coverage for Certain In-
Network Preventive Health
Services**
• Effective Appeals Process**
• Consumer/patient
protections**
• Nondiscrimination
requirements on fully insured
plans** (DELAYED)
• Certain Retiree Medical
Claims Reimbursable (ERRP)
• Retiree Drug Plan FAS
Liability Recognition
• Over-the-Counter
Medicines Not
Reimbursable Under
Health FSA, HRAs, or
from HSAs Without a
Prescription, Except
Insulin
• HSA Excise Tax Increase
• Public Long-Term Care
Option (CLASS Act) –No
Longer Supported by
HHS
• Medicare Part D
Discounts for Certain
Drugs in “Donut Hole”
• Employer Distribution of
Summary of Benefits
and Coverage to
Participants* (DELAYED)
• Comparative
Effectiveness Fee
• Employer Quality of Care
Report**
• Medical Loss Ratio
rebates (insured plans
only)*
• Employer Reporting of
Health Coverage on
Form W-2 (due January
31, 2013)
• Notice to Inform
Employees of Coverage
Options in Exchange
(DELAYED)
• Limit of Health Care FSA
Contributions to $2,500
(Indexed)
• Elimination of Deduction
for Expenses Allocable
to Retiree Drug Subsidy
(RDS)
• Medicare Tax on High
Income
• Addition of women’s
preventive health
requirements to No Cost
Sharing and Coverage
for Certain In-Network
Preventive Health
Services **
• Determining full-time
employees
• Non-discrimination rules
(DELAYED)
• Individual Mandate to
Purchase Insurance or Pay
Penalty
• State Insurance Exchanges
• Employer Responsibility to
Provide Affordable Minimum
Essential Health Coverage***
• Preexisting Conditions
Exclusions Prohibited*
• Annual Dollar Limits on EHB
Prohibited*
• Automatic Enrollment
(DELAYED)
• Limit of 90-Day Waiting
Period for Coverage*
• Employer Reporting of
Health Insurance
Information to Government
and Participants
• Increased Cap on Rewards
for Participation in Wellness
Program**
• Cost-sharing limits for all
group health plans, not just
HDHPs/HSA (deductibles
and OOP maximum)**
• Excise Tax on
High-Cost Coverage
*Denotes group/insurance market reforms applicable to all group health plans. **Denotes group/insurance market reforms not applicable to grandfathered health plans. *** This requirement applies to full time employees (e.g., 30 hours per week) and will require coverage that is affordable and satisfies a certain actuarial value to avoid the penalty. Guidance forthcoming.
Health Care Reform General Timeline
6
Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
7
Small Employer Provisions – Small Business Tax Credits
Effective January 1, 2010
Employers with fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees and average wages below $50,000 that provide qualified health plan coverage are eligible to receive a health insurance federal tax credit
Employer must pay a uniform % not less than 50% of the premium
Credit of up to 35% on health premiums (50% in 2014) for eligible small employers or 25% for tax-exempt small employers
Premium taken into account capped at average small group market premium for State or local area
The Internal Revenue Service has mailed postcards to 4 million small employers publicizing the new tax credits and to remind them that the new tax credits take effect this year. The postcard and additional information can be located at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=221511,00.html
Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
Employer Checklist—Act on 2013 Provisions Now
2013 ProvisionsAdministrative & Communication Actions
Medicare taxes for high-income Do calculations Coordinate with payroll Tell affected employees (optional)
$2,500 FSA Limit Communicate in off-cycle enrollments Provide decision support Update SPDs
Women’s preventive health coverage Communicate in off-cycle enrollments Update SPDs
Notifying employees about state exchanges (Delayed)
Communicate to all employees about exchanges (eligibility, services and contact information)
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Trust Fund Fee
Based on average covered lives $1 for 2013; $2 for 2014 Reporting and payment of fees on IRS
Form 720
9Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
Start Preparing for 2014 Provisions
2014 Provisions Administrative & Communication Actions
Employer mandate
Free-rider penalties
Premium tax credits
Automatic enrollment (Delayed)
Minimum essential benefits
Fully-effective group market and insurance reforms
Educating employees on how state exchanges will work
Transitional Reinsurance Fee
Increased wellness rewards cap 30% of cost of health coverage
Expanded preventive care
Incorporate provisions into enrollment
Develop a communication strategy and tactics
Provide decision support
Create or update SBCs/ SPDs/ SMMs
Guiding Principles Focus on participant actions Stay objective Simplify messages Provide guidance Capitalize on the opportunity
10Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
2014—Exchange Update
Coverage through the exchanges will begin in every state on January 1, 2014, with enrollment beginning October 1, 2013.
States can elect to: – build a fully state-based exchange, – enter into a state-federal partnership exchange, or – default into a federally-facilitated exchange.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish and operate a federally-facilitated exchange in any state that is not able or willing to establish a state-based exchange.
In a federally-facilitated exchange, HHS will perform all exchange functions. States entering into a state-federal partnership exchange may administer plan management functions, in-person consumer assistance functions, or both, and HHS will perform the remaining exchange functions. If a state opts for a state-federal partnership exchange, it has until February 15, 2013, to submit an exchange blueprint to HHS.
11Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
2014—SHOP Exchange
Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) will be designed to make insurance options available for small businesses.
THE SHOP will allow the small business to select the level of coverage offered to the employees and how much the employer will contribute.
There will be an expanded Small Business Healthcare Tax Credit that will provide a tax credit of up to 50% of the employer’s contribution towards providing coverage to low and middle income employees.
Premiums will be impacted by Medical Loss Ratio requirements. Employers will be able to enroll through a broker, through a website or through a toll
free telephone number. .These were to become effective January 1, 2014. However, the federal government
recently announced that the federal SHOP Exchanges only will now be postponed until January 1, 2015.
State SHOP Exchanges may follow suit, to be determined. This delay does not preclude an employer from meeting the employer mandate
requirements.
12Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
Public Exchange Status by State
CA
ORE
WA
NEV
UTAHCO
IDAHO
WYO
NMARIZ
ND
SD
NEB
KANSAS
OK
TEXAS
MINN
IOWA
MO
Ark
LA
MS
FLORIDA
GA
SC
KY
WIS MN
IL INDOHIO
PA
W VAVA
NCTN
NY
NJ
MD
DE
CT
RI
VT NH
MAINE
MASSACHUSETTSMONTANA
ALASKA
ALA
HA
Won’t Create Exchange
Creating Exchange
Partnership Exchange with Feds
Democrat Governor
Republican Governor
WA
NY
VT
MASSACHUSETTS
12
Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
Half of States Are Expanding Medicaid in 2014
CA
OR
WA
NV
UTCO
ID
WY
NMAZ
ND
SD
NB
KS
OK
TX
MN
IA
MO
AR
LA
MS
FL
GA
SC
KY
WI
MN
IL IN
OHPA
WVVA
NCTN
NY
NJ
MD
CT
RI
VT NH
ME
MAMO
AK
AL
HI
9 States Won’t Expand Medicaid
13 States Will Expand Medicaid
16 States Undecided on Medicaid Expansion
Democrat Governor
Republican Governor
5 States Leaning toward expanding Medicaid
5 States Leaning toward Not Expanding Medicaid
DhE
13
14Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
2014—Individual Mandates
Individual Mandate– In 2014, participants will be required to maintain health coverage that meets Minimal
Essential Coverage or they will be subject to a shared responsibility payment which is a tax on not having health insurance• This is known as the Individual Mandate• An individual avoids the Individual Mandate by enrolling in Minimum Essential Coverage
– The penalties will be as follows:• 2014: Greater of 1% of salary or $95• 2015: Greater of 2% of salary or $325• 2016: Greater of 3% of salary or $695
– If the cost of insurance exceeds 8.0% of an individual’s income, then the individual is not subject to the mandate. Other exemptions include religious exemptions and persons in jail
Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
What’s Next for Health Care Reform: 2014
• Individuals earning up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level that are not Medicaid eligible will have tax credits available to them to help cover the costs of medical premiums in a state exchange. The levels of income qualification, based on 2012 guidelines, would be as follows:
Individuals in Household 2012 FPL 400% of FPL
1 $11,170 $44,680
2 $15,130 $60,520
3 $19,090 $76,360
4 $23,050 $92,200
5 $27,010 $108,040
6 $30,970 $123,880
7 $34,930 $139,720
8 $38,890 $155,560
Qualification of Federal Subsidies
Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
What’s Next for Health Care Reform: 2014
• The amount of the tax credit is based off the cost of the second lowest cost Silver plan which would have an actuarial value of 70%. The actual amount of the tax credit would vary based on income and family size as follows:
Up to 133% FPL 2.0% of income
133% to 150% 3.0 to 4.0% of income
150% to 200% 4.0 to 6.3% of income
200% to 250% 6.3 to 8.05% of income
250% to 300% 8.05% to 9.5% of income
300% to 400% 9.5% of income
As an example, Sue is single and has an annual income of $28,000, which is 250% of the FPL. Based on her age of 45 and where she lives, the cost of the second lowest Silver plan is $5,733. She would not have to pay more than 8.05% of her income or $2,254 to enroll. Her tax credit would then be $3,479 ($5,733 minus $2,254).
Qualification of Federal Subsidies (cont’d)
17Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
2014—Employer Mandates
Employer Mandate– The Employer Mandate is also referred to as
• The free rider penalty (historical terminology), shared responsibility payment, the assessable payment, and the employer responsibility payment
– A Large Employer is one that employs 50 or more FTEs• FTE generally means an individual, with respect to any month, who is employed on average at least
30 hours of service per week
– The Employer Mandate requires a Large Employer to offer• Minimum Essential Coverage that meets Minimum Actuarial Value requirements• Coverage that is “affordable”• Available to “substantially all” (i.e., 95% or more) full time employees
Employers must also offer coverage to dependent children up to age 26, however this coverage does not need to be affordable
The dependent definition does not include spouses
18Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
2014—Employer Mandate - Detail
Penalties for failing to comply with the Employer Mandate $2,000 Tax Penalty
– Applies when an employer fails to offer its FTEs the opportunity to enroll in Minimum Essential (health) Coverage (MEC) • If one full-time employee goes to an Exchange and qualifies for a subsidy, then the employer would
be subject to a $2,000 penalty for each individual that was not offered coverage that met MEC guidelines
• There is a waiver for the first 30 full-time employees.• The penalty is calculated on a monthly basis.
$3,000 Tax Penalty– Applies when an employer offers its FTEs the opportunity to enroll in MEC and the employee
contribution for single coverage exceeds 9.5% of their income, thus being considered unaffordable • The penalty generally is $3,000 per year for each full-time individual who enrolls in an Exchange and
qualifies for a subsidy• There is no 30 life waiver• Example of 9.5%: Employee earning $35,000/year; 9.5% of salary = $3,325 annually or $277 per
month. This is the most that an employee can be asked to contribute for single coverage.
Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
What’s Next for Health Care Reform: 2014
• Employer A: 15 FT employees, 10 PT employees @15 hrs/wk, 10 Seasonal Workers
• Total 20 FTEs (15 FTs + 5 FTEs + 0 for seasonal workers) = Penalties do not apply. Applies to employers with at least 50 Full-Time Employees (FTEs), which includes a combination of full-time workers (those working 30+ hours/week) plus part-timers (seasonal workers with fewer than 120 days do not count).
• Employer B: An employer with 35 full-time employees and 30 part-time employees who each work 15+ hours/week = 50 FTE.
• There are two penalties:
• The first penalty is $2,000 per all full-time employees for not offering coverage if one employee goes into a state Exchange and qualifies for a subsidy. There is a waiver for the first 30 full-time workers. Employer B potential penalty is $20,000 ($2,000 x 5 full-time employees)
• $3,000 penalty per each employee whose premium contribution is greater than 9.5% of income or whose plan covers less than 60% Actuarial Value (AV) based on Minimal Essential Coverage (MEC) of allowable costs. Applied to each individual that goes into a state Exchange and qualifies for a federal subsidy.
Calculation
20Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
Defining Full-Time Employees
Recent guidance on definition of full-time employee (FTE) provides safe harbor methods for determining whether– An existing (ongoing) employee is an FTE; and– A newly-hired employee is an FTE
Guidance applies to– Variable Hour Employees
• Based on facts and circumstances at start date, it cannot be determined that employee is reasonably expected to work 30 hours/week
– Seasonal Employees• A worker who performs labor/services on a seasonal basis; good faith test for now. Generally
considered to be less than 120 calendar days or three months.
21Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
Defining Full-Time Employees—Ongoing
2013 Measurement Period (MP) 2013 Administrative Period (AP) 2014 Stability Period (SP)
3 – 12 months Up to 90 daysAt least 6 months but no
shorter than MP
Determines coverage in stability period
Average hours worked
Buffer between MP and SP
Allows for measuring and enrolling full-timers
Eligibility period for employees averaging 30 hours or more during MP
MP Considerations
Longer period reduces number of full-timers given high turnover
Shorter period provides more time to make workforce adjustments to mitigate cost
SP Considerations
Shorter period reduces coverage commitment but creates administrative complexity
Longer period that aligns with calendar years is most practical administratively
21
22Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
Defining Full-Time Employees—Newly Hired
New Variable Hour and Seasonal Employees
Initial Measurement Period (IMP) Administrative Period (AP) Stability Period (SP)
3 – 12 months Up to 90 days Same length as ongoing employees
Considerations
IMP plus AP must not last beyond last day of first calendar month following employee’s one-year anniversary
– No more than 13 months plus a partial month
Transition to ongoing allows for extension of coverage for balance of overlapping ongoing stability period
22
Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
23
What’s Next for Health Care Reform: 2014
The Health Care Reform Law prohibits non-grandfathered insured group health plans from discriminating in favor of highly compensated individuals
Rules similar to those under Internal Revenue Code (Code) section 105(h) that are applicable to self-insured medical reimbursement plans will apply to non-grandfathered insured plans. Final rules are being defined.
Highly compensated individuals generally include:
the 5 highest paid officers,
any 10% owners, and,
the highest paid 25% of all employees
Testing is required to ensure that a sufficient number of non-highly compensated individuals benefit under the plan
Potential penalty is $100 per day per discriminated employee up to $500,000.
Final rules are expected for 2014.
Non-Discrimination Testing
Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
Leading to Significantly Different Decisions
Employer Plan
State Exchanges
Medicaid
Opt-OutSelf Insure
• If offered, generally the best choice for employees who do not receive a federal subsidy in the exchanges
• Insurance plan familiar to most employees
• Employees with low family incomes may receive better benefits at a lower cost in a state exchange
• These individuals can only receive federal subsidies if employer does not offer an affordable plan
• Only available in states that choose to expand Medicaid coverage
• Employees receive nearly full coverage, although provider access is limited
• Employees may opt-out for many reasons including a spouse with a better/cheaper plan, TriCare coverage, or simply not wanting to own health insurance
24
25Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
Individual Factors Driving Insurance Choice
Demographics Age Family Size Geography
$Financials Family income Premiums or
contributions
Protection Provider Access Health Status Insurance coverage
Loyalty Satisfaction with current
insurance product Willingness to change
25
Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
Considerations for Dropping Group Coverage
Exchange costs for employers may significantly increase by the time Exchanges are available in 2014.
These are hard dollar penalties and are not tax deductible. Employers likely will be pressured to provide additional compensation to
employees who participate in an Exchange Any additional compensation to cover Exchange costs may increase payroll
(FICA/FUTA) taxes for the employer, and income and payroll (FICA) taxes for the employee
How does the employer want to be viewed as in terms of “An Employer of Choice”
26
27Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
Co-employment Responsibility
HCR PROVISIONS 2013 - 2014 HCR Effective Date
AlphaStaff Plan Effective Date Responsible Party Comments
Determine Large Employer status subject to Play or Pay
2013 for 1/1/2014 effective date N/A Employer (Client) Contact AlphaStaff for assistance. This is
determined by employer size in 2013.Establish measurement/admin/stability periods for variable hour employees 1/1/2014 N/A Employer (Client) Contact AlphaStaff for assistance.
Perform IRS Employee Affordability Analysis (9.5% safe harbor) 1/1/2014 N/A Employer (Client) Contact AlphaStaff for assistance.
Waiting period maximum 90 days 1/1/2014 9/1/2013 AlphaStaff/Client/ Carrier
Note that AlphaStaff sponsored plans will require a maximum 1st of month following 60 days as waiting period due to plan design (no mid-month coverage dates). Client-sponsored plans will vary based on plan design and AlphaStaff administration requirements.
Health Care Market Place ("Exchange") employee notifications required by FLSA
10/1/2013, then all new hires N/A AlphaStaff on behalf of
client companyExpect guidance on content and Model Notice - tentative delivery date August-September
Review / Update plan documents and regulatory disclosures (AlphaStaff sponsored plans). Varies N/A AlphaStaff
Updates to plan documents (SPD/Wrap Document) at year end, other docs will be updated as new regs/guidance are issued
IRS Reporting on employer provided coverage 1/31/2015 N/A Client/AlphaStaffGuidance not yet issued on content and reporting requirements. Unknown if AS or client company will be required to do reporting
Automatic Enrollment Unknown N/A AlphaStaff/Client Originally was effective 1/1/2014, but provision has been delayed
Nondiscrimination Rules Unknown N/A AlphaStaff/Client Originally was effective 1/1/2014, but provision has been delayed
Review Plans for minimum value standards 1/1/2014 9/1/2013 Carrier/AlphaStaffAlphaStaff sponsored plans only. Clients maintaining own plans will need to consult with broker/carrier
PPACA 2014 Plan requirements (AlphaStaff sponsored plans) 1/1/2014 9/1/2013 Carrier/AlphaStaff
Removal of all pre-ex, no annual max on Essential Health Benefits (EHB), updates to cost-sharing provisions, and others as identified under PPACA
HCR taxes/fees included in premiums (PCORI, Insurer Fee, Transitional Reinsurance Fee) 1/1/2014 9/1/2013 Carrier Will be included in renewal premium for fully
insured plans; self-funded plans must self-pay
28Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
2012 and 2013 Provisions by Year
2012 Comments 2013 Comments
1. Employer Distribution of Uniform Summary of Benefits to Participants
1. Limit of health care FSA contributions to $2,500
Effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012.
2. Comparative Effectiveness Fee(Patient Outcomes Research Institute – PORI)
Applies to Plan Years ending on or after 10/01/2012; for 2012 this fee is $1.00 per employee enrolled in health plan or Flexible Savings Account (FSA). Fee not assessed on employees not enrolled in either the FSA or medical plan options. Fee to be remitted via IRS Form 720 by 7/31/2013.
2. Comparative Effectiveness Fee(Patient Outcomes Research Institute – PORI)
For each Plan Year 2013 through 2018; this fee is $2.00 per employee enrolled in health plan or Flexible Savings Account (FSA). Fee not assessed on employees not enrolled in either the FSA or medical plan options. Fee to be remitted via IRS Form 720 by 7/31/2014.
3. Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) rebates Applies to insured plans only. 3. Addition of Women’s preventive health requirements to no cost sharing (such as deductibles, coinsurance) and coverage for certain in-network preventive health services
Effective January 1, 2013 for calendar year plans.
4. Employer Reporting of Health Coverage on Form W-2
Due January 31, 2013; reporting does not need to include standalone dental, vision or FSA plans.
4. Medicare Tax on High Income• Increases Medicare tax by 0.9% to 2.35% for individuals earning over $200k and joint filers over $250k• New 3.8% tax on unearned income for individuals earning over $200k and joint filers over $250k
Final guidance pending.
5. Employer Quality of Care Report Final guidance pending 5. Notice to Inform Employees of Coverage Options in Exchange - delayed
Guidance pending (overdue)
6. Elimination of Deduction for Expenses Allocable to Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS)
Not applicable to DMS
29Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
2014 Provisions by Year
2014 Comments 2014 Comments
1. Shared Responsibility Payment(Individual Mandate)
Employee must go to Exchange because employer’s plan • Was not “minimum essential coverage” or• Was either “unaffordable” or did not provide minimum value
5. Reinsurance Fees • Fees will be charged for 2014, 2015 and 2016
• Declared amount is $63 PMPY
2. Minimum Essential Coverage Employers that do not offer “minimum essential coverage” to all full-time employees pay a penalty of $2,000 for each of its full-time employees, until the employer offers such coverage• Subject to an exemption for the first 30 full time employees• Penalty applies if at least one FTE receives a subsidy
6. Comparative Effectiveness Fee For 2014 this fee is $2.00 per employee enrolled in health plan or Flexible Savings Account (FSA). Fee not assessed on employees not enrolled in either the FSA or medical plan options. Fee to be remitted via IRS Form 720 by 7/31/2015.
3. “Unaffordable” or not “Minimum Value”
•Unaffordable - <9.5% of W-2 wages•Minimum Value – 60th percentile actuarial value
If coverage offered by employer is “unaffordable” or not “minimum value”, employer pays a penalty of $3,000 for each FTE who• Purchases a qualified health plan in the Exchange• Receives a Federal Subsidy
7. Auto Enrollment • Postponed – likely delayed to 2015
• Plans must automatically enroll all of their eligible employees in health coverage unless employee specifically opts out
4. State Exchanges • Exchanges open (bronze, silver, gold platinum)
• Subsidies from 133% to 400% of Federal Poverty Level
• Fees on Insurance Companies
8. Wellness Program Rewards Cap Increased cap on rewards for participation in wellness programs from 20% to 30% and 50% for smokers
30Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
2017 and 2018 Provisions by Year
2017 and 2018 Comments
1. Large employers (> 50 lives) may be allowed into Exchanges
2. Excise Tax on “Cadillac” Plans 40% excise tax on insurers and TPS that offer health care coverage costing more than• $10,200 individual (indexed)• $27,500 family (indexed)Increased threshold applies for retirees ages 55-64 and for selected high-risk occupations• $11,850 individual• $30,950 family - Adjusted for age and gender
31Consulting | U.S. Health & BenefitsProprietary & Confidential | 02/2013
How Can We Help?
Analyze current employee population to help determine if you will be subject to the Employer Shared Responsibility penalty (Play or Pay) by evaluating your company’s full time and full time equivalent employees.
Establish Measurement, Administrative, and Stability Periods. Provide PPACA updates through our Knowledge Center, AlphaAdvisor, and
AlphaAlerts. Ensure plans are meeting minimum value requirements Determine what your minimum contribution should be to comply with the 9.5%
affordability rule. Look for updates in the AlphaStaff Knowledge Center, AlphaAdvisor, open enrollment
communications and future forums such as today’s webinar. Health Care Reform Questions? Contact [email protected] or contact
your benefits or HR representative.