Health Care Reform & Benefits Information

Latest News & Updates...

Complete Health Care Reform Timeline... click here.


  Latest News & Information on Federal Healthcare Reform

   Release Date
» The View from Proskauer: Health Care Reform Litigation Risks June 14, 2013
» The Future of Domestic Partner Health Benefits June 14, 2013
» U.S. Supreme Court Decision on DOMA May Impact Status of Children of Same-Sex Spouses for Employee Benefits Purposes June 14, 2013
» More To Do's to Add to Your 2013 Health Plan Compliance Calendar- Dont Forget about HIPAA/HITECH June 14, 2013
» Exchange Model Notices, Updated Cobra Election Notice, Small Business Tax Credit Additional Information May 17, 2013
» Small Business Tax Credits for Small Employers May 16, 2013
» Compliance Steps for the Final HIPPA Rule: Sample Business Associate Agreement Reform May 1, 2013
» New Form I-9 For Employers to Verify Employment Eligibility Apr. 15, 2013
» Proposed Individual Mandate Rules Mar. 28, 2013
»SEMINAR PRESENTATION... ACA Rules & Implementation Strategies Mar. 20, 2013
» Final Rule on HIPPA Privacy and Security Protections, Exchange Notice Requirements Delayed 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
» Relief for Non-Calendar Year Plans, Updated "Pay or Play" Rules and Penalties Feb. 8, 2013
»PPACA Update: Contraceptive Exemption for Religious Organizations Feb. 7, 2013
»Human Resources: OSHA Log Form 300A Due February 1st Jan. 25, 1013
»FAQs on the Employer Shared Responsibility Provisions Jan. 7, 2013
» Proposed Reinsurance Fees Will Cost Group Health Plans, Vast Majority of Employers Likely to Keep Coverage in 2014, Methods of De-Identifying PHI, Research Fees  Dec. 27, 2012
» HR: Preparing for 2013, NYS Wage Theft Protection Act, Hiring in the New Year, Performance Improvement Plans, Harassment Training Dec. 18, 2012
» Proposed Reinusurance Fees Will Cost Group Health Plans Dec. 17, 2012
» Eleventh Circuit Rules Wellness Program Complies with the ADA, Health Premium Increases Projected 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
» IRS Issues New Guidance on Employer Penalties Oct. 26, 2012
» Seminar Presentation - "The Affordable Care Act - What's Next" Octo. 9, 2012
» Seminar Presentation - "New York's Health Exchange" Oct. 9, 2012
» Comparative Effectiveness Research Fees Oct. 2, 2012
» Legislative Brief - Temporary Guidance Issued on 90-day Waiting Period Limit Sept. 19, 2012
» Upcoming Health Care Reform Effective Dates and Deadlines, Low Copays Linked to Emergency Room Trips 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
» Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) Rebate Information for Employers Jul. 20, 2012
» Supreme Court Ruling: Employer FAQ's, Social Media Policies Do's and Dont's 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
» Settled HIPPA Case Underlines Importance of Protecting ePHI, New H.S.A. Limits Released May  24, 2012
» Health Care Reform Supreme Court Hearing May  22, 2012
» Essential Health Benefits: What You Need to Know Apr. 18, 2012
»U.S. Supreme Court to Review Health Care Reform Law Mar. 22, 2012
»Health Care Reform - Summary of Benefits & Coverages Feb.16, 2012
» 2012 Health Care Reform Comliance Checklist, Misclassify Workers at Your Own Risk Feb. 3, 2012
» Small Business Tax Credits Jan. 30, 2012
» Health Care Reform Developments in 2011, H.S.A. Popularity Continues to Rise Dec. 17, 2011
» Surveys: Health Care Costs Increase at a Declining Rate Nov. 2, 2011
»Medicare Modernization Act Documents Oct. 20, 2011
» New Women Preventive Care Coverage Required Sept. 21,2011
»Health Care Reform in the Courts Sept. 12, 2011
» Avoid Common legal Mistakes with Your Employee Handbook, Promote Stress Management Through Wellness Initiatives 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
» Proactive Approach Essential to Avoid Loss of Top Talent, Promote an Active Lifestyle for Employees July 29, 2011
» Benefit Trends in 2011, HHS Final Rule on Controlling Premium Increases July 19, 2011
» Deadline Approaching to Amend Plan Documents for the New OTC Rules, CMS Issues Revised Medicare Part D Model Disclosure Notices June 29, 2011
» Court Decision Has Wellness Implications May 30, 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
» 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.