Legislative, Legal and Regulatory News

HealthSmart FOCUS is researched and written by the HealthSmart Holdings Legal Department and is published for the benefit of our clients and other interested parties. This newsletter is only designed to communicate general information regarding employee benefit matters. Nothing in this newsletter shall be deemed to constitute legal opinions or legal advice. HealthSmart is pleased to offer this source of information regarding legislative, legal and regulatory changes affecting the healthcare industry.

January 2012 What's Ahead for 2012?

October 2011 Medicare Part D Due October 15 Institute of Medicine (IOM) Issues Recommendations to HHS on Essential Health Benefits Changes to Medicare Secondary Payer Reporting Requirements for HRAs

August 2011 Summary of Benefits and Coverage HRA Annual Limit Restrictions Proposal Rules for Federal Premium Tax Credits

July 2011 Changes to HHS Annual Limit Waiver Program HHS Issues Rules to Determine Eligibility and Claim Status

June 2011 Proposed Changes to the HIPAA Privacy Rule                   HHS Makes it Easier for Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions to Get Health Insurance

April 2011 DOL Releases Health Benefit Report on Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Coverage Congress Passes FY 2011 Budget; Obama ReleasesDeficit Reduction Plan

March 2011 OMB pproves ADA Amendments Act Final Regulations Massachusetts All-Payer Claims Database

February 2011 Deadline for Part D Creditable Coverage Senate Votes Against Repeal of Affordable Care Act

January 2011 Agencies Issue New FAQs IRS Issues Guidance on OTC Drug Reimbursements

November 2010 Political Landscape and Repeal of Healthcare Reform Final Regulations On GINA's Employment Nondiscrimination Provisions DOL FAQs On PPACA

September 2010  How To Obtain A Waiver For Restricted Annual Limits. (For details on the waiver process, see the requirements from Health & Human Resources.) OTC Reimbursements - Revised Definition Of "Medical Expenses." (For more details, see the IRS' FAQs on the Affordable Care Act and OTC Products) What is the Community Living Assistance Services Support Act?

June 2010 Interim Final Rules Issued on Dependent Coverage Tax Treatment of Dependent Children Plans Required to Have Internal and External Appeals Process Interim Final rules Issued on Grandfathered Plans Early Retiree Reinsurance Program Healthcare Reform Timeline

April 2010 HealthSmart FOCUS Special Edition: What does Healthcare Reform Mean To You? On March 30, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Pub. L. No. 111‐152), which makes notable changes to several areas of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). This material is intended to offer guidance (as of April 2010) on significant changes to health plans and the effective dates for these changes from now until 2018.

March 2010 COBRA Subsidy Extended HealthSmart To Attend SPBA Sprint Meeting Interim Final Rules Issued For Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 Model Notices Released For CHIPRA EEOC Broadens Definition of "Disability" Electronic Filing of Form 5500

November 2009 Differing Approaches to Healthcare Reform HS Issues New HIPAA Breach Notification Rule FMLA Expansion to Include Relatives of Veterans and Members of the Armed Forces Interim Final Regulations Issued for GINA EEOC Broadens Definition of "Disability" Does Your Health Risk Assessment Violate the ADA? HIPAA Privacy Notice Changes Mental Health Parity and Addiction Act of 2008 Regulations Delayed

August 2009  Healthcare Reform Update DOL Plan Administrator Information Sheet  Changes Involving Cafeteria Plans Case Law Update US Department of Health and Human Services Issues New HIPAA Breach Notification Rules Effective Date for Michelle's Law Approaching

May 2009  Section 111 of the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act Implications of GINA Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) Michelle's Law Changes to HIPAA's Privacy and Security Regulations Changes to Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage Disclosure Form CHIPRA Notice Requirements

March 2009 COBRA Temporary Premium Assistance Program Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 Medicare as Secondary Payer Mandatory Reporting Requirements "Never Events" Update