Reform Alerts

Find the reform alert you're looking for using the table below. You can filter by audience and year.

Audience Legend

  • IIndividuals
  • SSeniors
  • EEmployers
  • AAgents
  • DDoctors
  • LLegislators
DateTitleTopicAudience
7/18/2016 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights issues final rule implementing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act on nondiscrimination in health programs and activities Health Care Reform I E A D
6/1/2016 Supreme Court issues decision remanding contraceptive coverage case back to Courts of Appeals Health Care Reform E A D
12/9/2015 Office for Civil Rights issues proposed rule implementing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act on nondiscrimination in health programs and activities Marketplace I E A D
8/3/2015 IRS provides guidance on calendar year 2016 High Deductible Health Plans Out-of-Pocket Maximum Limits, Minimum Deductible Levels and Health Savings Account Contribution Limitations Marketplace I E A D
5/14/2015 CMS releases final Maximum Out-of-Pocket Limits Marketplace I E A D
3/23/2015 Employer reporting: Updated IRS forms and instructions released (Sec. 6055 and Sec. 6056) Health Care Reform I A
3/23/2015 Special enrollment period granted for consumers paying a 2014 individual mandate tax penalty Marketplace I A
3/18/2015 2016 Open Enrollment Period Marketplace I A
3/3/2015 Marketplace Form 1095-A may be reissued due to incorrect information Exchange I A
2/10/2015 2015 Federal Poverty Guidelines Exchange I E A D
2/10/2015 IRS Form 1095-A Marketplace coverage reporting Exchange I A
2/3/2015 Small business tax credit instructions released Exchange I A
1/30/2015 Additional clarifications on nondiscrimination based on health status by group health plans Other E A
1/16/2015 Federal regulators re-emphasize that premium reimbursement arrangements for individual policies are prohibited Other I E A
12/17/2014 Non-hospital / non-physician services plans won’t meet ACA minimum value requirements for 2015 Other I E A
11/5/2014 CMS announces delay in enforcement of Health Plan Identifier (HPID) regulations Other E A
10/17/2014 Enrollment: IRS guidance for Section 125 cafeteria plan Exchange I E A
8/5/2014 Agent/Broker Training and Compensation Exchange I E A
7/30/2014 Employer reporting: Draft forms released Exchange I E A
7/30/2014 Navigator funding available Exchange I E A
6/26/2014 SHOP Employee Choice Exchange I E A
6/26/2014 Health Center Expanded Services Exchange I S E A D L
6/16/2014 Medicaid and CHIP enrollment data Exchange I E A D
5/21/2014 Final regulations released on large employer coverage reporting (Sec. 6056) Other I E A
5/21/2014 Final regulations released on minimum essential coverage reporting (Sec. 6055) Other I E A
5/21/2014 Final regulations released on 90-day waiting periods and its’ limitations Other I E A
5/20/2014 Updates required for COBRA notices for employers Other I E A
4/25/2014 IRS provides guidance on 2015 High Deductible Health Plans Out-of-Pocket Maximum Limits Marketplace I E A
4/03/2014 Small group maximum deductible limitations repealed Marketplace I E A
3/26/2014 Employer Shared Responsibility requirements for 2015 and beyond – additional information on safe harbors Other I E A
3/18/2014 2015 Actuarial Value Calculator and methodology released Marketplace I E A
3/13/2014 2015 cost sharing limitations finalized and released Marketplace I E A D
3/13/2014 Transition policy extended Marketplace I E A
2/25/2014 Medicaid and CHIP updates Marketplace I S E A D
2/11/2014 Final regulations released on Employer Shared Responsibility requirements for 2015 and beyond Other I E A
2/11/2014 Changes to cost sharing limits coming in 2015 Other
Marketplace
I E A D
1/22/2014 Health Insurance Marketplace enrollment Other
Marketplace
I E A D
1/15/2014 CMS approves Medicaid expansion Other
Marketplace
I E A
12/30/2013 Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan extended Other
Marketplace
I E A
12/23/2013 UPDATE: CMS releases new guidance for individuals with cancelled plans Other
Marketplace
I E A D
12/20/2013 Department of Health and Human Service clarifies Marketplace privacy and security standards Other
Marketplace
I E A
12/20/2013 HHS announces 365,000 individuals enrolled on Health Insurance Marketplace Other
Marketplace
I E A
12/20/2013 CCIIO issues guide to assist agents and brokers through the Marketplace enrollment process Other
Marketplace
I E A
12/16/2013 HHS announces funding for mental health and substance use care Other
Marketplace
I E A
12/9/2013 HHS issues proposed guidance for the 2015 benefit year Other
Marketplace
I E A
12/2/2013 CMS announces SHOP enrollment will be direct through issuers Other
Marketplace
I E A
11/26/2013 The Healthy Michigan Plan Other
Marketplace
I E A
11/26/2013 Federally-facilitated Marketplace enrollment period extended one week Other
Marketplace
I E A
11/15/2013 Transition proposed to help consumers facing product discontinuation Other
Marketplace
I S E A D L
11/6/2013 Revised SHOP FAQ clarifies average employee quoting option for employers Other
Marketplace
E A
10/18/2013 CCIIO releases FAQs Other
Marketplace
A
10/17/2013 Understanding the advanced premium tax credit Other
Marketplace
A
10/15/2013 Small business tax credit proposed rule issued Other
Marketplace
A
10/08/2013 Application instructions released Other
Marketplace
A
9/17/2013 Employer notification of the Marketplace Other
Marketplace
A
9/16/2013 Medicaid Expansion and Reform Signed by Governor Snyder Other
Marketplace
A
9/03/2013 Part II of the Agent/Broker Registration Process in the Federally-facilitated Marketplace Other
Marketplace
A
8/07/2013 Individuals can create a Marketplace account Other
Marketplace
A
8/05/2013 HHS issues proposed rule on Marketplace monitoring of privacy and security standards Other
Marketplace
A
7/31/2013 CMS announces webinar series for agents and brokers Other
Marketplace
A
7/31/2013 CMS agent/broker training to begin this week Other
Marketplace
A
7/30/2013 Navigator and Certified Application Counselor Final Rule Issued July 17 Marketplace I E A
7/26/2013 IRS issues formal notice delaying employer mandate and coverage reporting until 2015 Other
Exchange
I E A
7/26/2013 Proposed Rule issued on Marketplace Information Reporting Other
Exchange
I E A
7/25/2013 CMS announces agent/broker webinar Other
Exchange
A
7/24/2013 Department of Labor releases updated model notices Other
Exchange
I E A
7/8/2013 Proposed rule establishes HHS complaint system Other
Exchange
I E A D
7/3/2013 Government announces delays Other
Exchange
I E A D
7/1/2013 Marketplace eligibility provisions amended in new proposed rule Other
Exchange
I E A D
6/28/2013 CMS Launches Call Center Other
Exchange
I S E A D
6/24/2013 CMS issues guaranteed issue and renewal final rule Other
Exchange
I E A
6/24/2013 HHS Releases Final Rule on Single Risk Pool Other
Exchange
I E A
6/21/2013 IRS announces maximum out-of-pocket costs Other
Exchange
I E A
6/21/2013 CMS releases SHOP Final Rule Other
Exchange
I E A
6/21/2013 Revised paper applications for employers and employees Other
Exchange
I E A
6/11/2013 CCIIO releases new Agent, Broker, and Web-Broker Guidance Other
Exchange
I S E A D L
6/11/2013 HHS issues Bulletin providing standards for issuer’s renewal notices Other
Exchange
I E A
6/11/2013 Final Guidance on Wellness Programs Released Other
Exchange
I E A
6/11/2013 Department of Labor releases update on employer notice to employees about the Marketplace Other
Exchange
I E A
5/29/2013 Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan Program Interim Final Rule Other
Exchange
I E A
5/28/2013 CMS releases revised Marketplace paper applications Other
Exchange
I E A
5/6/2013 SHOP Sections of the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters Final Rule Other
Exchange
I E A
5/6/2013 HHS Announces Applicable User Fees Other
Exchange
I E A
5/6/2013 CMS releases the Marketplace Brand Guide Other
Exchange
I E A
4/30/2013 Federal agencies release proposed rule on 90-day waiting period limitation Other
Exchange
I E A
4/30/2013 CMS Announces New Navigator Funding Opportunity Other
Exchange
A
4/19/2013 Michigan issues individual and small group 2014 market rules for plans sold on and off the Marketplace Other
Exchange
I E A
4/16/2013 CMS launches new online site for outreach and education resources Other
Exchange
I E A D
4/12/2013 CMS issues FAQ on ancillary products Other
Exchange
I E A
4/11/2013 HHS Issues Proposed Rule on Standards for Navigators and Non-Navigator Assistance Personnel Other
Exchange
E A
3/21/2013 HHS issues new proposed rule postponing employee choice in SHOP Other
Exchange
I E A
3/14/2013 CMS issues final rule on reinsurance program Other
Exchange
I E A
3/14/2013 CMS Releases data collection efforts Other
Exchange
A
3/13/2013 OPM Releases Multi-State Plan Final Rule Other
Exchange
I E
3/13/2013 HHS Approves Michigan to Operate State-Partnership Marketplace Other
Exchange
I E
3/7/2013 HHS Releases Essential Health Benefits, Actuarial Value, and Accreditation Final Rule Other
Exchange
I E
3/4/2013 Health Care Reform - Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) Announces Closure to New Enrollment Other
Exchange
I E
2/22/2013 Health Care Reform - IRS releases final regulations on 2013 medical device tax Taxes I E
2/15/2013 CMS Issues Draft Health Insurance Marketplace1 Applications Other
Exchange
I E
1/29/2013 Government delays employer requirement to notify employees of the Exchange Exchange I E
12/27/2012 HHS issues proposed rule on Essential Health Benefits and Actuarial Value Other
Exchange
I E A D
12/27/2012 Proposed rule released on group wellness incentives Other
Exchange
I E A
12/27/2012 CMS Issues Proposed Rule: Modified Community Rating Other
Exchange
I A
12/27/2012 IRS Issues Final Rule on the Comparative Effectiveness Fee Taxes
Exchange
I E A
12/27/2012 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Issues Proposed Rule: Guaranteed Issue and Renewal Other
Exchange
I E A
12/27/2012 HHS Issues Accreditation Related Items in Proposed Rule Other
Exchange
I E A D L
12/27/2012 CMS Issues Proposed Rule: Risk Adjustment, Risk Corridors and Reinsurance Other
Exchange
I E A
12/27/2012 CMS Issues Proposed Rule: Single Risk Pool Other
Exchange
I E A
12/21/2012 CMS Issues Proposed Rule: Catastrophic Plans Subsidies
Consumer protections
Other
Exchange
I A
9/27/2012 Cost sharing: Out-of-pocket and deductible rules Subsidies
Consumer protections
Other
Exchange
I E A
09/25/2012 Reinsurance fee will fund program to subsidize individual plans Subsidies, penalties, taxes and fees E
09/19/2012 Temporary enforcement safe harbor under contraceptive services mandate clarified Insurance Reform
Coverage changes
Employer responsibilities
I E A L
09/10/2012 Cafeteria plans' health flexible spending arrangements will have $2,500 limit Employer responsibilities
Other
I E
08/24/2012 State preparing for federal Exchange or state-federal partnership Exchange Exchange
Other
I E
08/20/2012 Determining eligibility to participate on the Exchange Exchange
Other
I E
07/31/2012 IRS issues final rule regarding premium tax credits for the Exchange Exchange
Subsidies
I
07/10/2012 Exchange: Accreditation of Qualified Health Plans Health Reform I E A
07/09/2012 Actuarial Value Defined Exchange
Other
I E
07/09/2012 Network Adequacy and Essential Community Providers Exchange
Other
I E A D
06/28/2012 Supreme Court upholds Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Health Reform I S E A D L
06/12/2012 Further clarifications on the Comparative Effectiveness Fee Subsidies, penalties, taxes and fees I E A
05/31/2012 Stand-Alone Dental on the Exchange Exchange
Other
I E A
05/25/2012 Child-only coverage on the Exchange Consumer protections
Exchange
Other
I E A
03/27/2012 Exchange Final Rule Issued Other I E A
03/22/2012 Additional guidance provided on employers' requirements for shared responsibility fee, automatic enrollment, and waiting periods Employer responsibilities E
02/27/2012 Early Retiree Reinsurance Program will exhaust its $5 billion allocation Employer responsibilities E
02/17/2012 Additional component added to final rule on preventive health services for religious employers Coverage changes E
02/14/2012 Further guidance on W-2 reporting requirements released on Jan. 3 Employer responsibilities E
02/13/2012 Summary of Benefits and Coverage Final Rule Released Consumer protections
Insurance reform
Employer responsibilities
I E A
02/02/2012 Preliminary guidance released on essential health benefits Consumer protections
Insurance reform
I E A D
12/22/2011 HHS Issues Final Medical Loss Ratio Rule Consumer protections
Insurance reform
I E A
12/15/2011 Native Americans Provisions on the Exchange Other I E A D
11/29/2011
Updated
Proposed regulations help consumers understand coverage options Consumer protections
Insurance reform
Employer responsibilities
I E A
11/17/2011 Insurance exchanges must offer multi-state individual and small group health plans Other I E A
11/11/2011 Institute of Medicine report says costs key in shaping essential health benefits Coverage changes I E A D
11/11/2011 Changes to Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans aim to increase enrollment in high risk pools Other I E A D
11/09/2011
Updated
Announcement Correction: Health care reform CLASS Act program will not be implemented Coverage changes
Employer responsibilities
Insurance reform
Subsidies, penalties, taxes and fees
I S E
11/04/2011 Qualified health plans: Standards for products offered in new health insurance exchanges Coverage changes
Employer responsibilities
Insurance reform
Subsidies, penalties, taxes and fees
I E A D
11/03/2011 Risk adjustment, risk corridors and reinsurance measures would help states, insurers mitigate risk Coverage changes
Employer responsibilities
Insurance reform
Subsidies, penalties, taxes and fees
I E A D
10/17/2011 Proposed rules outline state-based competitive health insurance exchanges Coverage changes
Employer responsibilities
Insurance reform
Subsidies, penalties, taxes and fees
I E A
09/21/2011
Updated
Employers must offer minimum essential coverage or face penalties, but IRS to loosen 'play or pay' requirement Coverage changes
Employer responsibilities
Insurance reform
Subsidies, penalties, taxes and fees
I E A L
09/16/2011 Community health center grants now available Coverage changes
Employer responsibilities
Insurance reform
I D
08/09/2011
Updated
HHS issues guidelines on required women's preventive services Insurance reform I A L
08/09/2011 Individual mandate will require people to buy health insurance or face financial penalty Subsidies, penalties, taxes and fees
Medicare and Medicaid
Coverage changes
I S L
08/09/2011 Expanded choices, lower costs of health coverage are goals of insurance exchanges Consumer protections
Insurance reform
Subsidies, penalties, taxes and fees
I E A L
07/21/2011 Michigan rate review process deemed effective Insurance reform L
07/21/2011 Federal grants available to help support workplace health programs Employer responsibilities E
07/18/2011 Elder Justice Act targets abuse in long-term care facilities Consumer protections S
07/18/2011 National Prevention Strategy casts broad net in effort to improve health of Americans Consumer protections I
07/07/2011 Health care reform establishes fee to fund research comparing effectiveness of treatment options Subsidies, penalties, taxes and fees D
05/26/2011
Updated
Rate increases meeting threshold subject to government review Consumer protections
Insurance reform
I E
05/03/2011 Free-choice vouchers repealed Employer responsibilities E
04/27/2011 Medicare proposal would use Accountable Care Organizations to improve quality, rein in costs Medicare and Medicaid I D
04/27/2011 Government office aims to help consumers navigate health care reform Consumer protections I
04/27/2011 Form 1099 tax-reporting requirement for businesses repealed Employer responsibilities E
04/20/2011 W-2 reporting requirements expanded for some employers Employer responsibilities E
04/06/2011 Additional information released regarding grandfathered group health plans Employer responsibilities E
03/25/2011 Employers that don't offer minimum essential health coverage may face penalties Employer responsibilities
Subsidies, penalties, taxes and fees
I E
01/19/2011
Updated
National health reform changes that affect consumer-driven health care accounts Employer responsibilities
Subsidies, penalties, taxes and fees
I E D
01/04/2011 How health care reform will change Medicaid Medicare and Medicaid I E D L
12/29/2010
Updated
Nondiscrimination requirements for fully insured group health plans Employer responsibilities E
12/22/2010 Employers must allow breastfeeding breaks under health reform Employer responsibilities I E
12/17/2010
Updated
Some small group customers may be eligible for a tax credit under the new reform law Employer responsibilities
Insurance reform
Subsidies, penalties, taxes and fees
E
12/17/2010 High-income individuals to pay higher premiums for Medicare Part D coverage Medicare and Medicaid I
12/02/2010 Health care reform requires employers to notify their employees in advance of certain coverage changes Consumer protections
Employer responsibilities
I E
11/19/2010 Employer wellness grants, higher discounts for wellness programs allowed under health care reform Other I E
11/03/2010 Administrative simplification provision creates operating rules and uniform standards Insurance reform I D
11/03/2010 Insurers must meet Medical Loss Ratio requirements or provide rebates to members Consumer protections
Insurance reform
I E
10/20/2010 Department of Labor clarifies rescissions regulation Consumer protections
Employer responsibilities
I E
09/29/2010 Appeals process standardized under health reform law Consumer protections
Employer responsibilities
I E
09/10/2010 How Medicare Advantage will change due to national health reform Medicare and Medicaid I E
09/10/2010 Changes to Medicare Advantage enrollment periods Medicare and Medicaid I E
09/07/2010 Interim final rules would restrict employers' ability to retroactively cancel coverage Consumer protections I E
08/20/2010 Coming soon: Special enrollment period to add or re-enroll eligible dependents Consumer protections
Insurance reform
I E
08/03/2010 How health benefits will change in the near future Consumer protections
Insurance reform
Coverage changes
I
08/03/2010 Regulations released for immunizations and preventive coverage with no cost-sharing Consumer protections
Insurance reform
Coverage changes
I D
07/20/2010 Michigan employers working to comply with several administrative health care reform requirements Employer responsibilities E
07/19/2010 How “Plan Year” impacts BCBSM and BCN group and individual customers Employer responsibilities I E
07/01/2010 Government Internet portal for individuals and small groups up and running Transparency I E
06/29/2010 "Patient's Bill of Rights": Government releases regulations on several patient protection provisions Consumer protections
Insurance reform
I E
06/29/2010 Department of Health and Human Services accepting applications for companies to apply for early retiree reinsurance Employer responsibilities
Subsidies, penalties, taxes and fees
I E
06/25/2010 Plans to simplify benefit information for members Insurance reform
Transparency
I E
06/15/2010
Updated
What "grandfathered" means and how it impacts customers and members Employer responsibilities E
06/14/2010 BCBSM and BCN working with stakeholders to ensure compliance with near-term health care reform requirements Consumer protections
Insurance reform
I E
06/02/2010
Updated
Forms and additional guidance available to help small businesses claim tax credit Employer responsibilities E
05/20/2010 Medicare Part D beneficiaries will automatically receive $250 rebate when they reach "donut hole" Medicare and Medicaid I
05/13/2010 More information available regarding continued coverage for dependent children up to age 26 Consumer protections
Insurance reform
I E
05/07/2010 Health and Human Services releases interim final rule about application requirements for early retiree reinsurance Employer responsibilities
Subsidies, penalties, taxes and fees
I E
04/29/2010 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan ahead of pack with long-standing policy regarding insurance rescissions Coverage changes
Insurance reform
I E
04/27/2010 Application requirements for early retiree reinsurance Employer responsibilities E