An important deadline under the Affordable Care Act is approaching. ALL employers must notify current employees about the options available through the Exchanges (aka Health Insurance Marketplaces) no later than October 1, 2013. After October 1, employers must provide notices to all new employees. Employers must provide these notices whether or not they offer an employer-sponsored health plan and regardless of how many people they employ. You can find information on this requirement at the Department of Labor’s website.

At this time, the Department of Labor has released three temporary model notices for your use. The final ones should be available later this year; however, until those are available, you can provide your employees with temporary notices customized with your company information. The key documents that employers need to review regarding employee notifications are as follows:

Technical Release 2013-02 – Guidance on the notice to employees of coverage options under FLSA §18B and updated model election notice under COBRA

Model Notice for Employers Who OFFER a Health Plan

Model Notice for Employers Who DO NOT OFFER a Health Plan

COBRA Model Election Notice – revised to include info that in addition to COBRA, there may be other coverage options available through the Exchanges

Employers needing assistance with the preparation and content of their notices should contact their health plan advisor now.

Murphy Insurance Group Health Insurance customers may Contact Us for more information.

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