Did You Know You have to Notify?

One of the items that will be on every employers plate this fall is a new requirement that you, the employer, must notify all of your employees and new hires about the new Health Care Exchanges that take effect on October 1, 2013.  We want to make sure that everyone is aware of these notification requirements so, in conjunction with one of our administrators, we have some reference materials that you can use.

The links below provide a draft cover letter and attached fillable PDF that is to be distributed to each employee. Feel free to use the cover letter draft as necessary.

You will want to download new model noticess released by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to comply with changes as a result of Health Care Reform.

New Model Exchange Notices -- Distribute to Employees No Later Than October 1, 2013
Following a delay in the original effective date (it was originally required in March), employers need to comply with the new requirement to provide employees a written notice with information about a Health Insurance Exchange (Marketplace) beginning this fall. Two separate notices are available from the DOL:

• Model Notice for Employers Who Offer a Health Plan to Some or All Employees
• Model Notice for Employers Who Do Not Offer a Health Plan

Employers are required to provide the written notice to each current employee not later than October 1, 2013, and to each new employee at the time of hiring beginning October 1, 2013 (a notice will generally be considered to be provided 'at the time of hiring' if it is furnished within 14 days of an employee's start date).

Employers must provide the notice automatically and free of charge to each employee, regardless of plan enrollment status or of part-time or full-time status. The notice may be distributed by first-class mail, or electronically if certain requirements are met. Employers do not need to provide a separate notice to dependents or other individuals who are or may become eligible for coverage under the plan but who are not employees.

Keep in mind that HHS expects that the employees will use these sheets to provide information to the Exchange staff as they shop for coverage options.

Yes this is happening, get ahead of the game.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact the insurance professionals at Logan Lavelle Hunt and we will help you navigate the changing tide of health care. #kyhealthplans#kyexchange#healthcarereform#kynect#healthinsurance#obamacare#healthexchange

Peace!