2014 Healthcare Changes: Is Your Employee Benefits Plan Ready?

By Kelline R. Linton,
Junior Associate.

 

While the Obama administration has delayed the Affordable Care Act requirement that large employers provide health insurance to all employees, many of the 2013 and 2014 ACA requirements will still apply as scheduled.

 

Beginning on January 1, 2014, numerous provisions of the Affordable Care Act will go into effect.  These provisions require most employee benefits plans to change key provisions on cost-sharing, dependent eligibility, lifetime and annual dollar limits, preexisting condition exclusions, and provided health benefits.

 

Even before January 1, 2014, the Affordable Care Act requires employers to provide a Summary Plan to all employees that accurately describes the new changes.

 

In light of these upcoming deadlines, we recommend you review your current Employee Benefits Plan with your health insurance agent to determine whether it requires needed alterations.  We are also here to assist you with the legal review of any Plan documents, including the Summary Plan, and will determine both the documents’ legal compliance and your best options for implementing the ACA provisions.