Health Care Reform

Health Care Reform: A Timeline for Employers Benefit Resource Group Louie Miller Pamela Solly Recina Kudebeh

Benefit Resource Group Employee Benefits Group Insurance Cost Containment Solutions Human Resource Assistance Wellness Plans Health Savings Accounts Human Resource Training Louie Miller Pamela Solly Recina Kudebeh Benefit Resource Group

The following is based on public information available as of March 25, 2010. Certain facts may change as a result of the Senate reconciliation process. Benefit Resource Group

Year 2010 Benefit Resource Group

2010 Small businesses with less than 25 employees and average wages of less than $50,000 will qualify for a tax credit of up to 35% of the cost of the health care premiums for workers (effective beginning in calendar year 2010). Benefit Resource Group

2010 Health plans will not be permitted to exclude children under the age of 19 due to pre-existing medical conditions (effective six months after enactment). Benefit Resource Group

2010 Health plans will be forbidden from setting lifetime limits on policies (effective six months after enactment). Benefit Resource Group

2010 Health plans will not be able to cancel policies because an insured got sick (effective six months after enactment). Benefit Resource Group

2010 Health plans will have restrictions on annual limits of coverage (effective six months after enactment). Benefit Resource Group

2010 Children up to the age of 26 can remain on their parents' health plan, unless the child is eligible for coverage through an employer (effective 6 months after enactment). Benefit Resource Group

2010 Seniors will receive $250 to fill the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage gap, also known as the "doughnut hole" (effective beginning in calendar year 2010). Benefit Resource Group

2010 High-risk insurance pools will be established for uninsured people with Pre-Existing conditions (effective 90 days after enactment). Benefit Resource Group

2010 A 10% tax will be imposed on tanning salon customers (effective July 1, 2010). Benefit Resource Group

2010 New private health plans must cover preventive services with no co-payments or deductibles (effective 6 months after enactment). Benefit Resource Group

2010 A temporary re-insurance program will be created to help offset the costs of expensive health claims for employers that provide health benefits for retirees age 55 to 64 (effective 90 days after enactment). Benefit Resource Group

2010 A new independent appeals process will be established to ensure that consumers can appeal decisions by their health insurance plan (effective six months after enactment). Benefit Resource Group

2010 New health plans will be prohibited from establishing eligibility rules for health care coverage that have the effect of discriminating in favor of higher-wage employees (effective six months after enactment). Benefit Resource Group

2010 Funding will be increased for community health centers (effective beginning in fiscal year 2010). Benefit Resource Group

2010 Investment will be made in training programs to increase the number of primary care physicians, nurses and public health professionals (effective beginning in fiscal year 2010). Benefit Resource Group

2010 Aid will be provided to states to establish health insurance consumer assistance offices to help consumers file complaints and appeals (effective beginning in fiscal year 2010). Benefit Resource Group

2011 A national, voluntary long-term care insurance program will be created and will be financed by voluntary payroll deductions. Benefit Resource Group

2011 Health plans in the individual and small group markets will be required to spend 80% of premium dollars on medical services, while plans in the large group market will be required to spend 85%. Failure to meet the thresholds will result in rebates to policyholders. Benefit Resource Group

2011 A 50% discount will become available on brand-name drugs for Medicare beneficiaries who hit the "doughnut hole." Benefit Resource Group

2011 Co-payments and deductibles for preventive services provided under Medicare will be eliminated. Benefit Resource Group

2011 Employers will be required to report the value of health benefits on employee W-2 forms. Benefit Resource Group

2011 A fee will be imposed on manufacturers and importers of branded drugs. Benefit Resource Group

2012 The U.S. government will set up a program to create non-profit insurance co-ops. Benefit Resource Group

2012 Medicare payment reforms will encourage "accountable care organizations." Benefit Resource Group

2012 A pilot program will be created to test more efficient ways to pay for Medicare. Benefit Resource Group

2012 Medicare payments to hospitals with high rates of preventable readmissions will be reduced. Benefit Resource Group

2013 The Medicare payroll tax will increase from 1.45% to 2.35% on individuals with adjusted gross income (AGI) in excess of $200,000 and couples with AGI in excess of $250,000. Benefit Resource Group

2013 A new 3.8% tax will be imposed on investment income for individuals with AGI in excess of $200,000 and couples with AGI in excess of $250,000. Benefit Resource Group

2013 Contributions to health care flexible spending accounts will be limited to $2,500 per year. Benefit Resource Group

2013 The threshold for itemized medical deductions will be raised from 7.5% to 10% of AGI for people under the age of 65. Benefit Resource Group

2013 A 2.3% tax will be imposed on certain medical device manufacturers and importers. Benefit Resource Group

2014 Health plans will be prohibited from denying coverage to adults for Pre-Existing medical conditions; therefore state high-risk pools will be phased out. Benefit Resource Group

2014 Health plans will be prohibited from imposing annual limits on benefits. Benefit Resource Group

2014 Small businesses with less than 25 employees and average wages of less than $50,000 will be able to qualify for a tax credit of up to 50% of the cost of the health care premiums for workers. Benefit Resource Group

2014 New health insurance exchanges will be created by the states. Benefit Resource Group

2014 People earning up to 133% of the federal poverty level ($29,327 for a family of four as of 2009, to be indexed) will qualify for Medicaid. Childless adults will be eligible for the first time. Benefit Resource Group

2014 People earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level ($88,200 for a family of four as of 2009, to be indexed) will qualify for subsidies on a sliding scale to purchase health insurance through the newly created insurance exchanges. Benefit Resource Group

2014 Most U.S. citizens will be required to buy health insurance or pay a penalty, except for certain financial hardship cases. Benefit Resource Group

2014 Employers with more than 50 employees that do not offer health coverage will be fined if at least one employee uses tax credits to purchase an individual plan through an insurance exchange. Benefit Resource Group

2014 Insurers will not be allowed to charge women higher premiums. Benefit Resource Group

2014 Health insurers will be required to pay annual fees. Benefit Resource Group

2016 The threshold for itemized medical deductions will be raised from 7.5% to 10% of AGI for people 65 and over. Benefit Resource Group

2018 Health plans will be required to eliminate co-payments and deductibles for preventive services. Benefit Resource Group

2018 A 40% excise tax will be imposed on health insurance plans costing more than $10,200 for an individual or $27,500 for a family, excluding stand-alone vision and dental plans. Higher thresholds will be implemented for certain high-risk industries. Benefit Resource Group

As the landscape of health care reform continues to evolve over the coming months, we will monitor the impact of this monumental legislation and bring new developments to your attention as they occur. In the meantime, please contact Louie, Pamela or Recina if you have questions about your particular situation. Benefit Resource Group

Benefit Resource Group Anyone with an Insurance License can sell you a Health Insurance plan We provide value to your company by adding resources and becoming your trusted advisor. 303 552 6622 WWW.BRGcolorado.com Benefit Resource Group

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