New Health Insurance Law
(Enacted on March 21, signed into law on March 23, and amended on March 25)
Following is a list of reforms based on effective dates.
2010
- States and Federal officials review premium increases (self-insured plans excluded)
- Establishes federal grant program for small employers providing wellness programs
- Provide income exclusion for specified Indian tribe health benefits provided after 3/23/10
- Temporary high-risk pool and high-cost union retiree reinsurance ($5 B each for 3.5 years) (6/23/10)
- Impose 10% tax on indoor UV tanning (7/1/10)
- Medicare cuts to inpatient psych hospitals (7/1/10)
- Prohibits lifetime and annual benefit spending limits (plan years beginning 9/23/10)
- Prohibits non-group plans from canceling coverage (rescissions) (plan years beginning 9/23/10)
- Requires plans to cover, at no charge, most preventive care (plan years beginning 9/23/10)
- Allows dependents to stay on parents’ policies through age 26 (plan years beginning 9/23/10)
- Provides limited protections to children with pre-existing conditions (plan years beginning 9/23/10)
- Hospitals in "Frontier States" (ND, MT, WY, SD, UT ) receive higher Medicare payments (FY11)
- Hospitals in “low-cost” areas receive higher Medicare payments for 2 yrs ($400 million, FY11)
- FDA authorized to approve "follow-on" biologics
- Increase brand name pharmaceutical Medicaid rebate (from 15.1% to 23.1%)
- Medicare payments to physicians in primarily rural areas increase (2 years)
- Tax credits provided to certain small employers for health care-related expenses
- Increase adoption tax incentives for 2 years
2011
- Medicare Advantage cuts begin
- No longer allowed to use FSA, HSA, HRA distributions for over-the counter medicines
- Small employers (under 100 lives) allowed to adopt new “Simple Cafeteria Plans”
- Medicare cuts to home health begin
- Wealthier seniors ($85k/$170k) begin paying higher Part D premiums (not indexed for inflation in Parts B/D)
- Medicare reimbursement cuts when seniors use diagnostic imaging like MRIs, CT scans, etc.
- Medicare cuts begin to ambulance services, ASCs, diagnostic labs, and durable medical equipment
- Impose new annual tax (based on annual sales) on brand name pharmaceutical companies
- DOL begins annual studies on self-insured plans using Form 5500 data
- Americans begin paying premiums for federal long-term care insurance (CLASS Act)
- Employers must enroll workers in CLASS Act, unless employee opts out
- Health plans required to spend a minimum of 80% of premiums on medical claims
- Physicians in "Frontier States" (ND, MT, WY, SD, UT ) receive higher Medicare payments
- Prohibition on Medicare payments to new physician-owned hospitals
- Penalties for non-qualified HSA distributions double (to 20%)
- Seniors prohibited from purchasing power wheelchairs unless they first rent for 13 months
- Brand name drug companies begin providing 50% discount in the Part D “donut hole”
- 10% Medicare bonus payment for primary care and general surgery (5 years)
- Employers required to report value of health benefits on W-2
- Steps towards health insurance administrative simplification (reduced paperwork, etc) begins (5 yr process)
- Additional funding for community health centers (5 years)
- Seniors who hit Part D “donut hole "in 2010 receive $250 check (3/15/11)
- New Medicare cuts to long-term care hospitals begin (7/1/11)
- Additional Medicare cuts to hospitals and cuts to nursing homes and inpatient rehab facilities begin (FY12)
- New tax ($2 per enrollee) on all private health insurance policies (including self- insured plans) to pay for comparative effectiveness research (plan years beginning FY12)
2012
- Medicare cuts to dialysis treatment begins
- Require information reporting on payments to corporations
- Medicare to reduce spending by using an HMO-like coordinated care model (Accountable Care Organizations)
- Medicare Advantage plans with a 4 or 5 star rating receive a quality bonus payment
- New Medicare cuts to inpatient psych hospitals (7/1/12)
- Hospital pay-for-quality program begins (FY13)
- Medicare cuts to hospitals with high readmission rates begin (FY13)
- Medicare cuts to hospice begin (FY13)
2013
- Increase Medicare wage tax by 0.9% and impose a new 3.8% tax on investment income including annuities for those earning over $200k/$250k (not indexed to inflation)
- Impose $2,500 annual cap on FSA contributions (indexed to CPI)
- Generally increases (7.5% to 10%) threshold at which medical expenses, as a % of income, can be deductible
- Eliminate deduction for Part D retiree drug subsidy employers receive
- Impose 2.3% excise tax on medical devices
- Medicare cuts to hospitals who treat low-income seniors begin
- Post-acute pay for quality reporting begins
- CO-OP Program: Secretary awards loans and grants for establishing nonprofit health insurers
- $500,000 deduction cap on compensation paid to insurance company employees and officers
- Part D “donut hole” reduction begins, reaching a 25% reduction by 2020
2014
- Individuals without government-approved coverage are subject to a tax of the greater of $695 or 2.5% of income
- Employers who fail to offer "affordable" coverage would pay a $3,000
penalty for every employee that receives a subsidy through the Exchange
- Employers who do not offer insurance must pay a tax penalty of $2,000 for every fulltime employee
- More Medicare cuts to home health begin
- States must have established Exchanges
- Employers with more than 200 employees can auto-enroll employees in health coverage, with opt-out
- All non-grandfathered and Exchange health plans required to meet federally-mandated levels of coverage
- States must cover parents /childless adults up to 138% of poverty on Medicaid, receive increased FMAP
- Tax credits available for Exchange-based coverage, amount varies by income up to 400% of poverty
- Insurers cannot impose any coverage restrictions on pre-existing conditions (guaranteed issue/renewability)
- Modified community rating: individual or family coverage; geography; 3:1 ratio for age; 1.5 :1 for smoking
- Insurers must offer coverage to anyone wanting a policy and every policy has to be renewed
- Limits out-of-pocket cost-sharing (tied to limits in HSAs, currently $5,950/$11,900 indexed to COLA)
- Insurance plans must include government-defined "essential benefits " and coverage levels
- OPM must offer at least two multi-state plans in every state
- Employers can offer some employees free choice vouchers for health insurance in the Exchange
- Government board (IPAB) begins submitting proposals to cut Medicare
- Impose tax on nearly all private health insurance plans ($8 billion in 2014, $11.3 billion in 2015 and 2016, $13.9 billion in 2017, $14.3 billion in 2018, and indexed to medical cost growth thereafter); based upon firm’s market share starting in 2013
- Medicare payment cuts for hospital-acquired infections begin (FY15)
2015
- The fine for failure to comply with individual mandate will be the greater of $325 or 2% of income (In 2016 the fine will be $695 or 2.5% of income)
2016
- States can form interstate insurance compacts if the coverage with HHS approval (2016)
2017
- Physician pay-for-quality program begins for all physicians
- States may allow large employers and multi-employer health plans to purchase coverage in the Exchange
- States may apply to the Secretary for a limited waiver from certain federal requirements
2018
- Impose "Cadillac tax on “high cost” plans, 40% tax on the benefit value above a certain threshold: ($10,200 individual coverage, $27,500 family or self-only union multiemployer coverage)
Insurance Market Reforms FAQ'S
Q: Does the legislation make it easier for individuals who have health problems to obtain coverage?
A: Yes—starting six months from enactment, insurance can no longer base coverage (availability or price) on preexisting conditions for children. Adult coverage cannot be denied based on preexisting conditions as of 2014.
Q: What are the new rating rules?
A: Effective 2014 no rating allowed based on health or gender. There is a 3:1 ratio for age and 1.5:1 for smoking.
Q: Are plans required to cover preventive care?
A: The new law requires plans to cover, at no charge, most preventive care (plan years beginning 9/23/10).
Q: Are there annual and lifetime benefit limits?
A: The new law restricts annual and lifetime benefit limits for plan years beginning 9/23/10 and prohibits them starting in 2014.
Q: Are there any new options for individuals with preexisting conditions?
A: Yes – beginning in 2010 there will be a temporary national high-risk pool. The pool will end on January 1, 2014 once the exchanges are operational. Employers are prohibited from putting individuals in the high-risk pool.
Q: Are there changes to HSA distributions?
A: Beginning in 2011, account holders will no longer be allowed to use FSA, HSA, HRA, and Archer MSA distributions for over the counter medicines.
Q: Are there new penalties for non-qualified HSA distributions?
A: Yes - penalties for non-qualified HSA and Archer MSA distributions double (to 20%) in 2011.
Q: Are there medical loss ratios that must be met?
A: Yes – Effective 2011, health plans are required to spend a minimum of 80-85% of premiums on medical claims, depending on the size of the business.
Q: How will the new medical loss ratio provision impact high-deductible health plans? (HDHPs)?
A: Most of details on how the medical loss ratio provision will work will not be clear until the Secretary of HHS issues regulations.
Q: How is dependent coverage extended?
A: Beginning six months after enactment, insurance policies will be required to allow coverage for adult children up to age 26 under their parents’ policies.
Q: Is there a national exchange?
A: No – the exchanges are state-based. The exchanges will be operational by 2014, and will be open to individuals without access to affordable health insurance and to very small businesses.
Q: Are insurance advisors allowed to participate in the state-based exchanges?
A: Yes –Agents are specifically authorized to help individuals and very small businesses buy their insurance through exchanges.
Q: Is there a government-run plan in the exchanges?
A: No - There will be no government-underwritten health insurance plan offered through the exchanges. All the insurance sold through the exchanges will be private insurance (that has to comply with extensive rules regarding benefits included in the policies).
Q: Can large employers purchase coverage in the exchange?
A: Beginning in 2017, states may allow large employers and multi-employer health plans to purchase coverage in the exchange.
Q: Are multi-state plans allowed in the exchanges?
A: Yes the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is required to contract with private insurers to offer at least two multi-state plans in each exchange.
Q: Can states form interstate insurance compacts?
A: Beginning in 2016, states can form interstate insurance compacts with HHS approval.
Q: What are the four benefit categories in the exchange?
A: The benefit categories are (with the following actuarial values): Bronze (60%), Silver (70%), Gold (80%), and Platinum (90%)
Q: What is the CO-OP?
A: The new law provides for the creation of the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (COOP) Program to enable nonprofit, member-run health insurance companies. $6 billion in federal funding to finance the program will be awarded by 2013. The CO-OP must meet state solvency and consumer protection standards.
Q: Does the new law repeal the limited antitrust exemption provided by the McCarran- Ferguson Act?
A: No – the new laws do not repeal (or restrict) health insurers’ limited antitrust immunity contained in the McCarran-Ferguson Act of 1945.
Q: Are there rules regarding highly compensated individuals?
A: Yes – the new law requires all group health plans to comply with the IRS 105(h) rules that prohibit discrimination in favor of highly compensated individuals.
Individual Roles & Requirements
Q: What does this mean for individuals who do not currently have health insurance?
A: The law mandates that starting in 2014, any individual who is not exempt (due to financial hardship or religious beliefs) is required to obtain coverage or pay a penalty.
Q: What is the penalty for individuals who do not obtain insurance?
A: The new law will fine those who fail to carry health insurance coverage, and whose income exceeds the amount needed to be required to file federal income tax returns, as follows:
- In 2015, the fine will be the greater of $325 or two percent of income
- By 2016, it will be the greater of $695 or 2.5 percent of income
Q: What happens to individuals that cannot afford coverage?
A: This law expands Medicaid coverage to all individuals with incomes up to 133% of the Federal Poverty Level, beginning in 2014. If an individual does not qualify for Medicaid but still can’t afford coverage, they may be eligible for government subsidies to help pay for private insurance sold through the exchanges. Premium subsidies will be available for individuals and families with incomes between 133% and 400% of the FPL.
Q: I heard annuities distributions are taxed. Is this true?
A: A new 3.8 percent tax on high income taxpayers’ unearned income, including annuity withdrawals will take effect in 2013. Thus, for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income in excess of $200,000 (individual) or $250,000 (married filing jointly), annuity distributions received in 2013 and later will be subject to the 3.8% tax. Other unearned income subject to the 3.8% tax includes interest, dividends, rents, and royalties.
Employer Roles & Requirements
Q: I own a small business—does this mean that I’ll need to purchase insurance for my workers?
A: It depends on the size of the business. If you have fewer than 50 workers, you will not face any penalties for not offering insurance. Small employers with less than 25 employees and average wages of less than $50,000 will be provided with a health coverage tax credit. Businesses with over 50 employees that do not offer coverage would have to pay a fee of up to $2,000 per full-time employee if any of their workers got government subsidized insurance coverage through the exchange. The employer’s first 30 employees are not counted in calculating the assessment. Employees in the waiting period between date of hire and eligibility for the employer’s health plan are not counted. Only full-time employees are counted for purposes of calculating the assessment, although “full-time equivalents” are used to determine whether the employer is subject to the rule. (Only employers with 50 or more full-time (including full-time equivalents) are subject to the rule.) Full-time equivalents are determined by counting all part-time hours worked in a month, and then dividing by 120, to reach the number of “full-time equivalent” employees the employer has. The employer responsibility rules take effect in 2014.
Q: Are there other assessments on employers?
A: Yes -- if the employer’s insurance plan is “not affordable”. There is a $3,000 per affected full-time worker assessment on employers whose insurance is not “affordable.” This means that if a full-time worker has to pay more than a specified percentage of his/her salary (a sliding scale that tops out at 9.5%) for the employer’s health insurance, the employer’s insurance is not “affordable.” If that full-time worker uses a federal subsidy to buy his/her own insurance, then the employer must pay an assessment of $3,000 to help defray the cost of the subsidy for that worker buying his/her own insurance. This rule also takes effect in 2014.
Q: Can employers send their workers with preexisting conditions to the high-risk pool?
A: No – The temporary national high-risk pool beginning in 2010 is for individuals who cannot obtain individual coverage. The pool will end on January 1, 2014 once the exchanges are operational. Employers are prohibited from putting individuals in the high-risk pool.
Q: Which small employers qualify for tax credits immediately?
A: In order to qualify for the tax credit, employers must have no more than 25 full-time equivalent employees; pay average wages under $50,000 and provide qualifying coverage. The full amount of the credit is available to employers with 10 or fewer employees and average annual wages under $25,000 and will phase out when certain thresholds are exceeded. Small employers will receive a maximum credit of up to 50% of premiums for 2 years if the employer contributes at least 50% the total premium cost.
Q: When will the tax credits for exchange coverage begins?
A: In 2014, tax credits are made available for exchange-based coverage; amount varies by income up to 400% of FPL.
Q: What is the “Early Retiree Program”?
A: The new law creates a temporary reinsurance program (expires on January 1, 2014) for employers providing health insurance coverage to retirees over age 55 who are not eligible for Medicare. The program reimburses employers 80% of claims between $15,000-90,000.
Q: Does the new law change the employer deductible subsidy under Medicare Part D?
A: Yes – in 2013 the law eliminates the tax deduction for employer subsidies of Medicare Part D premiums.
Q: Do employers have new CLASS program responsibilities?
A: Yes - employers must enroll workers in the CLASS program, unless the employee opts out. There should also be an opportunity for the employer to choose not to participate in the CLASS program, but the details on how this will work are still unknown.
Q: Do employers have to report the value of health benefits?
A: Yes – beginning 2011, employers are required to report the value of health benefits on W- 2.
Long Term Care Insurance
Q: What is the CLASS Program?
A: The CLASS program is a voluntary, self-funded insurance program designed to provide a lifetime cash benefit that offers people with disabilities some protection against the costs of paying for long term care services.
Q: Who can participate in the CLASS Program?
A: Working individuals are eligible for the program. When an individual’s employer is participating in the program, premiums are paid through payroll deductions. Self-employed, or those whose employers do not choose to participate will still be able to join the CLASS program through a government payment mechanism.
Q: When is a participant eligible for CLASS benefits?
A: Once an individual has paid premiums for five years and has worked at least three of those five years, they are eligible to receive benefits when they need help with certain activities of daily living. Beneficiaries will receive a lifetime cash benefit—based on the degree of impairment. The cash benefit is expected to average $75/day or more than $27,000 per year to maintain independence at home or in the community and cover typical costs of home care services or adult day care. The benefits can also be used towards payment of assisted living and nursing home care costs.
Disease Prevention and Wellness
Q: Are there financial incentives for small employers to provide wellness programs?
A: Yes - the new law establishes a federal grant program in 2010 for small employers providing wellness programs
Q: Are there wellness plan incentives in the individual market?
A: The new law establishes a 10-state pilot program to apply the HIPAA bona fide wellness program rules to the individual market (2014-2017).
Q: I note that one of the benefits that will be available this year is a wellness benefit for all policies. Does that mean all policies including individual health insurance policies? And what must be included in the wellness benefit?
A: For all group and individual health plans, coverage of specific preventative services with no cost sharing is mandated this year. Details of the specific services to be covered will be included in the April 20th webinar. Some of them may be left to the HHS Secretary. There is also a Federal grant program for small employers providing wellness programs to their employees that will take effect on October 1, 2010.
Financing
Q: Are contributions to an FSA limited?
A: Yes – beginning in 2013 there is a $2,500 cap on FSA contributions for medical expenses.
Q: Is the cap on FSAs indexed?
A: Yes - beginning in 2013 there is a $2,500 cap on FSA contributions for medical expenses. This amount is increased annually by the cost of living adjustment.
Q: What is the “Cadillac” tax?
A: The “Cadillac” tax is a 40% tax, payable by “the insurer” (the insurance company or the employer or plan administrator in the case of self insurance or other non-insurance company coverage, like flexible spending accounts), if the aggregate value of the employer-offered insurance exceeds $27,500 for dependent coverage or $10,200 for individual coverage. Stand alone dental and vision coverage is exempt from the aggregation rules. The employer is responsible for doing the aggregation calculations.
Q: Does the "Cadillac" tax include calculating FSA reimbursements?
A: The aggregate value of the health plan includes reimbursements under an FSA for medical expenses or health reimbursement arrangements, employer contributions to a health savings account and other supplementary health insurance – dental and vision are excluded (effective 2013).
Q: What is the “tanning” tax?
A: Beginning in July 2010 a 10% tax on indoor UV tanning services will be imposed.
Q: How is comparative effectiveness research funded?
A: A new tax ($2 per enrollee) will exist on all private health insurance policies (including self-insured plans) to pay for comparative effectiveness research (effective for plan years beginning in FY 2012).
Q: What’s the Medicare wage tax increase?
A: Effective 2013, the Medicare wage tax is increased by 0.9% for those earning over $200k/$250k (not indexed to inflation).
Q: How will taxes be increased to pay for this?
A: Taxes and assessments are used to pay for the new law as follows: 2010
- 10% tax on indoor UV tanning (7/1/10) 2011
- Wealthier seniors ($85k/$170k) begin paying higher Part D premiums (not indexed for inflation in Parts B/D)
- Impose new annual tax (based on annual sales) on brand name pharmaceutical Companies
- Penalties for non-qualified HSA and Archer MSA distributions double (to 20%)
- New tax ($2 per enrollee) on all private health insurance policies (including self-insured plans) to pay for comparative effectiveness research (plan years beginning FY12) 2013
- Increase Medicare wage tax by 0.9% and impose a new 3.8% tax on investment income including annuities for those earning over $200k/$250k (not indexed to inflation)
- Impose $2,500 annual cap on FSA contributions (indexed to CPI)
- Generally increases threshold (7.5% to 10%) at which medical expenses, as a % of income, can be deductible
- Eliminate deduction for Part D retiree drug subsidy employers receive
- Impose 2.3% excise tax on medical devices
- $500,000 deduction cap on compensation paid to insurance company employees and officers 2014
- Individuals without government-approved coverage are subject to a tax of the greater of $695 or 2.5% of income
- Employers who fail to offer "affordable" coverage would pay a $3,000 penalty for every employee that receives a subsidy through the Exchange
- Employers who do not offer insurance must pay a tax penalty of $2,000 for every fulltime employee
- Impose tax on nearly all private health insurance plans ($8 billion in 2014, $11.3 billion in 2015 and 2016, $13.9 billion in 2017, $14.3 billion in 2018, and indexed to medical cost growth thereafter); based upon firm’s market share starting in 2013 2018
- Impose "Cadillac tax on “high cost” plans, 40% tax on the benefit value above a certain threshold: ($10,200 individual coverage, $27,500 family or self-only union multiemployer coverage)
Q: What are the Medicare Advantage changes?
A: The new law modifies Medicare Advantage (MA) plan rules as follows:
- Freezes MA payments in 2011. Beginning in 2012, MA benchmarks are reduced from 95% of Medicare spending in high cost areas to 115% of Medicare spending in low cost areas. The benchmark reductions will be phased in over three, five or seven years, depending on the extent of the resulting payment reductions.
- Authorizes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to adjust MA risk scores for observed differences in coding patterns relative to fee-for-service.
- Requires MA plans spend at least 85% of their revenue on medical costs on activities that improve quality of care.
Medical Malpractice
Q: Does the legislation include tort reform?
A: No, tort reform was not addressed in the new law.