Benefits Legislative Updates - 2011

December 2011

• CLASS Act Implementation Suspended by the Obama Administration
• DOL Delays Implementation of Summary of Benefits and Coverages (SBC) Rules
• San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance (HCSO) Regulations
• DOL Gives Guidance on Medical Loss Ratio Requirements
• Michigan to Impose Assessment of Health Care Claims
• Department of Health and Human Services Launches HIPAA Audit Program
• Blue Shield Credits

November 2011

• Supreme Court to Hear Health Care Reform Debate in March 2012
• Implementing Compliant Wellness Programs
• California Legislation
• 2012 IRC Indexed Figures
• California State Disability Rates

August 2011

• HHS Issues Preventive Care Guidance
• 9th and 11th Circuit Courts Rule on the Constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
• HHS Issues Additional Guidance on Premium Tax Credits
• HHS Exempts Stand-Alone HRAs from the Annual Limit Waiver Requirement
• Health Care Reform Summary of Benefits and Coverage Guidance
• Massachusetts Conforms State Tax Code to the Internal Revenue Code C
• Rhode Island Passes Civil Union Law
• San Francisco Issues 2012 Healthy Care Security Ordinance

July 2011

• Proposed regulations implementing state exchanges under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)
• Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds Constitutionality of the Individual Mandate
• HHS Issues Guidance on the Annual Limit Waiver Application Process
• New York Same-Gender Marriage Statute Passed
• New York Tax Law Amendment

June 2011

• Hawaii Requirement Reminder
• 2012 HSA Index Figures Released
• Medicare Part D Notice Changes
• Department of Labor's Fee Disclosure Rules under ERISA 408(b)(2)

April 2011

• California Enacts AB 36
• San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance Annual Filing Requirement Deadline
• San Francisco Commuter Benefit Ordinance
• Department of Health and Human Services Issues Frequently Asked Questions about CLASS Long Term Care Program
• DOL Frequently Asked Questions on Grandfathering
• Illinois and Hawaii Civil Union Laws
• Safe Harbor for Self-Funded Appeals Issued by HHS
• Voucher Provisions of PPACA Repealed
• Millman White Papers on ADA and W-2 Reporting Requirements

March 2011

• Health Care Reform - How Does it Impact You?
• IRS Medical Care Expenses Announcement
• Health Care Reform Dependent Rule Does Not Apply to HSAs
• Pending Legislation - California Dependent State Income Tax Update
• Health Care Reform Repeal Update
• Health Coverage Tax Credit Subsidy Set From 85% to 65%
• Oregon State Exchange Pending Legislation
• Department of Justice Comments on DOMA
• Wisconsin HSA Tax Deductions
• Oregon Dependent Imputed Income Senate Bill

February 2011

• The State of Health Care Reform: New Legislation Effective 2010-2018
• Form 8928 Self-Reporting Requirements for COBRA, HIPAA and ERISA Violations
• Health Care Reform Repeal Activity
• Domestic Partner and Dependent Imputed Income
• IRS Form W-2 Revised

January 2011

• IRS Delays Effective Date of Discrimination Testing Under PPACA
• IRS Delays Effective Date for Qualified Transit Expenses Under Qualified Fringe Benefit Plans
• IRS Small Employer Health Care Tax Credit
• IRS Guidance on FSA and HRA Debit Cards
• Change to the Interim Final Grandfather Rule
• Oregon Rule Clarifies Content of Portability Notice and Clarifies that Carriers may Provide Notice Electronically
• EDD Voluntary Plan General Release Letter
• GINA Guidance
• Mini-Med Guidance
• HRAs and PPACA
• Medical Loss Ratio Guidance
• 2011 Transit Limits
• California Donor Leave Legislation
• State Court Holds the Individual Mandate Provisions of PPACA Unconstitutional
• 2011 Compliance Due Dates
• Extension of the Health Coverage Tax Credit
• California Dental Legislation-AB 2275