Health Care Reform Notices … When the U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act It’s not junk mail (ACA) goes into effect next year, all U.S. citizens must have health insurance for themselves and their dependents or potentially pay a penalty. Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, individuals and employees of small businesses will have access to insurance coverage through the act’s Health Insurance Exchanges, which will subsequently be referred to as “Marketplaces.” Open enrollment under the New York State Health Benefit Marketplace will begin Oct. 1, 2013. If you currently have qualified health insurance through your employer, you don’t have to do anything and will not pay a tax penalty. However, if you are not eligible for coverage through your employer, or you have chosen not to enroll in your employer’s health insurance plan, you may be subject to penalties if you have not obtained health insurance coverage through another source (i.e. your spouse or through the Marketplace). Even though most CSEA members won’t have to do a thing thanks to their unionnegotiated health insurance benefits, the Affordable Care Act requires all employers to provide their employees with a written notice about coverage options available under the Act. YOU WILL RECEIVE ONE OF TWO NOTICES IN THE MAIL BY OCT. 1, 2013. Option 2 If your employer DOES NOT currently offer health insurance coverage, you will receive a notice that provides information about the health insurance Marketplace and the potential availability of tax credits that may lower your monthly premium through the Marketplace. In general, the notices must: • Inform employees about the existence of the Marketplace and describe the services provided by the Marketplace and the manner in which the employee may contact the Marketplace to request assistance; • Explain how employees may be eligible for a premium tax credit or a cost-sharing reduction if the employer’s plan does not meet certain requirements; • Inform employees that if they purchase coverage through the Marketplace, they may lose any employer contribution toward the cost of employer-sponsored coverage, and that all or a portion of this employer contribution may be excludable from income tax purposes; and • Include contact information for the exchange and an explanation of appeal rights. Option 1 If your employer offers health insurance coverage, you will receive a notice that includes specific information about the health coverage offered by your employer, including whether the coverage meets the Affordable Care Act’s minimum value and affordability standards. (See box on opposite page.) 14 The Work Force September 2013
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