Health Care Reform & Benefits Information

Latest News & Updates...

Complete Health Care Reform Timeline... click here.


  Latest News & Information on Federal Healthcare Reform

   Release Date
»Health Care Reform Update
 May 17, 2013
»Health Care Reform - Small Business Tax Credits May 16, 2013
»Wellness Newsletter - May 2013 May 13, 2013
»UPDATE... Health Care Reform May 1, 2013
»HR News - April 2013 Apr. 15, 2013
»Wellness Newsletter - April 2013 Apr. 12, 2013
»Benefits Buzz Newsletter - April 2013 Mar. 28, 2013
»SEMINAR PRESENTATION... ACA Rules & Implementation Strategies Mar. 20, 2013
»Benefits Buzz Newsletter - March 2013 Mar. 14, 2013
»Wellness Newsletter - March 2013 Mar. 14, 2013
» Cost-sharing Limitations and Preventive Care Coverage Clarified Mar. 4, 2013
» Final Rule Issued on Essential Health Benefits, Actuarial Value and Accreditation Standards Mar. 4, 2013
» HHS Releases Final Minimum Value Guidance and Calculator Mar. 1, 2013
» Cost-Sharing Limitations and Preventive Care Coverage Clarified Mar. 1, 2013
» FAQs on the Individual Mandate Mar. 1, 2013
» The Individual Mandate Mar. 1, 2013
»Final Rule on Health Insurance Reforms and Rate Review Mar. 1, 2013
»Wellness Newsletter - February 2013 Feb. 12, 2013
»Benefits Buzz Newsletter - February 2013 Feb. 8, 2013
»PPACA Update: Contraceptive Exemption for Religious Organizations Feb. 7, 2013
»Human Resources Newsletter January 2013 Jan. 25, 1013
»Wellness Newsletter - January 2013 Jan. 19, 2013
»FAQs on the Employer Shared Responsibility Provisions Jan. 7, 2013
»Benefits Newsletter - Year End 2012
Dec. 27, 2012
»Wellness Newsletter - December 2012
 Dec. 23, 2012
»HR Updates Dec. 18, 2012
»Health Care Reform: Proposed Reinusurance Fees Will Cost Group Health Plans Dec. 17, 2012
»Wellness Newsletter - November 2012 Nov. 21, 2012
»Benefits Buzz Newsletter - November 2012 Nov. 19, 2012
»Health Care Reform Law Here to Stay Nov. 16, 2012
»Creditable Coverage Nov. 12, 2012
»2013 Open Enrollment Checklist Nov. 9, 2012
»Benefits Buzz Newsletter - October 2012 Oct. 26, 2012
»Wellness Newsletter - October 2012 Oct. 19, 2012
»Seminar Presentation - "The Affordable Care Act - What's Next" Octo. 9, 2012
»Seminar Presentation - "New York's Health Exchange" Oct. 9, 2012
»Health Care Reform - Comparative Effectiveness Research Fees Oct. 2, 2012
»Legislative Brief - Temporary Guidance Issued on 90-day Waiting Period Limit Sept. 19, 2012
»Wellness Newsletter - September 2012 Sept. 10. 2012
»Benefits Buzz Newsletter - September 2012 Sept. 4, 2012
»SIGN UP... Albany Capitol District Health Care Reform Seminar - Oct. 9th Aug. 31, 2012
»Seminar Presentation - "The Affordable Care Act: What Comes Next" Aug. 17, 2012
»Health Care Reform: Federal Court Temporarily Blocks Contraceptive Mandate Aug. 13, 2012
»Wellness Newsletter - August 2012 Jul. 23, 2012
»Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) Rebate Information for Employers Jul. 20, 2012
»Benefits Buzz Newsletter - August 2012 Jul. 20, 2012
»Wellness Newsletter - July 2012 Jul. 20, 2012
»Health Care Reform: The Supreme Court's Decision Jun. 29, 2012
»Defining "Essential Health Benefits" Jun. 28, 2012
»Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Reform Law Jun. 28, 2012
»Wellness Newsletter - June 2012 Jun. 21, 2012
»Benefits Buzz Newsletter - June 2012 May  24, 2012
»Wellness Newsletter - May 2012                                                                                         May  22, 2012
»Benefits Buzz Newsletter - May 2012 May  22, 2012
»Wellness Newsletter - April 2012 Apr. 20, 2012
»Benefits Buzz Newsletter - April 2012 Apr. 18, 2012
»Wellness Newsletter - March 2012 Mar. 27, 2012
»U.S. Supreme Court to Review Health Care Reform Law Mar. 22, 2012
»Health Care Reform - Summary of Benefits & Coverages Feb.16, 2012
»Wellness Newsletter Feb. 12, 2012
»Benefits Buzz Newsletter Feb. 3, 2012
»Health Care Update - Small Business Tax Credits Jan. 30, 2012
»Wellness Newsletter - January 2012 Jan. 12, 2012
»Benefits Buzz Newsletter - December 2011 Dec. 17, 2011
»Wellness Newsletter - December 2011 Dec. 10, 2011
»Benefits Buzz Newsletter - November 2011 Nov. 2, 2011
»Medicare Modernization Act Documents Oct. 20, 2011
»Wellness Newsletter - October 2011 Oct. 12, 2011
»Wellness Newsletter - September 2011 Sept 23 2011
»Benefits Buzz Newsletter - September 2011 Sept. 21,2011
»Health Care Reform in the Courts Sept. 12, 2011
»Wellness Newsletter - August 2011 Aug. 26, 2011
»Benefits Buzz Newsletter - August 2011 Aug. 26, 2011
»The Importance of Dental Insurance Aug. 23, 2011
»New Guidelines for Women's Preventative Services Aug. 16, 2011
»Health Care Reform - Tips to Reduce Health Care Costs Aug. 5, 2011
»Benefits Buzz Newsletter - July 2011 July 29, 2011
»Wellness Newsletter - July 2011 July 25, 2011
»Benefits Bulletin - July 2011 July 19, 2011
»Benefits Buzz Newsletter - June 2011 June 29, 2011
»Wellness Newslettter - June 2011 June 22, 2011
»Benefits Buzz Newsletter - May 2011 May 30, 2011
»Wellness Newsletter - May 2011 May 24, 2011
»Information on Filing W-2 and 1099 Forms Apr. 29, 2011
»IRS Q&As on Form W-2 Reporting Apr. 29, 2011
»Health Care Reform - Impact on Employers (seminar presentation) Apr. 26, 2011
»The Cost of Fatigue in the Workplace Apr. 11, 2011
»Employer and Individual Responsibility Requirements Mar. 2, 2011
»Will Congress Repeal Health Care Reform? Feb. 25, 2011
»Benefits Compliance Timeline Feb. 8, 2011
»Wellness Reward Payments Information Feb. 1, 2011
»Wellness Grant Information Jan. 28, 2011
»WEBINAR REPLAY... 2011 and Beyond Jan. 25, 2011
»PPACA Update - Changes Effective January 1, 2011 Jan. 11, 2011
»Who... What... When... Health Care Reform Provisions Over the Next Decade Dec. 29, 2010
»How Health Care Reform Impacts Your Fund Products Dec. 15, 2010
»Flexible Spending Accounts - A New Approach to Use It or Lose It Dec. 9, 2010
»WEBINAR REPLAY... What Every Employer Must Know About Health Care Reform Dec. 7, 2010
»Small Business Health Care Tax Credit Q&As  Nov. 29, 2010
»Small Business Health Care Tax Credit Form Nov. 29, 2010
»COBRA Q&A - Health Care Reform Nov. 24, 2010
»Potential Penalties for Employers Under the Pay or Play Rules Nov. 19, 2010
»Open Enrollment Checklist Nov. 18, 2010
»Non Discrimination Rules – For Large Groups Nov. 11, 2010
»What the November 2, 2010 Mid Term Elections Mean to Health Care Reform Nov. 5, 2010
»1099 & W2 Requirement Summary Oct. 29, 2010
»Enrollment Reminder for Blue Shield of NE New York Members Oct. 29, 2010
»W-2 Reporting Requirement Delayed...   Sample of New W-2 Form from IRS Oct. 10, 2010
»Update for Blue Shield of NE New York Members Oct. 8, 2010
»Changes Effective September 23, 2010 Sept. 22, 2010
»Over-the-Counter Medication Reimbursements Sept. 16, 2010
»"Grandfathered Plans" Sept. 15, 2010
»What Employers Need to Know March 29, 2010
»Overview March 25, 2010


Health Care Reform
The new landmark health reform legislation brings new responsibilities for employers, as well as future considerations for those offering company-sponsored health benefits.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590 - PPACA), signed into law enacts the most sweeping change in U.S. social policy in over a half century. Right now employers need to understand what exactly is in the law and what provisions will have the greatest impact on them. Marshall & Sterling's team of benefits experts will continue to monitor and advise you about all aspects of health care reform.
 
What Employers Need to Know
After a detailed analysis of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Marshall & Sterling has identified some key provisions that could have significant impact on all employers and employer-sponsored health benefits plans. Below are some links to expanded information provided for employers with existing plans. Additional requirements will apply to employer plans adopted after enactment. Although many of the provisions in the bill will not go into effect until 2014, and in one case 2018, some take effect the first plan year following six months after enactment.

Employer Mandates
Employers who employ more than 200 employees must automatically enroll new full-time employees in coverage. Employers must also provide employees with an opportunity to opt-out of coverage. Clarification on the effective date of this provision is forthcoming.