August 2013 Health Care Reform
Posted on: August 7, 2013Categories: HR & ComplianceBeginning Jan. 1, 2014, individuals and employees of small businesses will have access to insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) health insurance exchanges (Exchanges), which are also known as Health Insurance Marketplaces. Open enrollment under the Exchanges will begin on Oct. 1, 2013. ACA requires employers to provide all new hires and current employees with a written notice about ACA’s Exchanges. This requirement is found in Section 18B of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
On May 8, 2013, the Department of Labor (DOL) released Technical Release 2013-02 to provide temporary guidance on the Exchange notice requirement. This temporary guidance will remain in effect until the DOL issues regulations or other guidance. According to the DOL, future regulations or other guidance will provide employers with adequate time to comply with any additional or modified requirements.
In connection with the temporary guidance, the DOL announced the availability of model Exchange notices for employers to use to satisfy the Exchange notice requirement. The DOL also set a compliance deadline for the Exchange notices. Employers must provide employees with an Exchange notice by Oct. 1, 2013.
In addition, the DOL’s temporary guidance includes a new COBRA model election notice, which has been updated to include information regarding health coverage alternatives offered through the Exchanges.
Additional Resources:
Department of Labor Technical Release No. 2013-02
Fair Labor Standards Act Advisor Compliance Tool
Model Exchange Notice Without Plans
Model Exchange Notice With Plans
Department of Labor Model COBRA Election Notice
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