Final Rule Updates SBC Requirement
In conjunction with the December 2014 proposed regulations, the Departments issued a draft-updated template, instructions and supplementary materials. The Departments previously issued an FAQ on March 31, 2015, announcing that the finalized template, instructions and uniform glossary are not expected to be finalized until January 2016. The final rule reiterates this expected timeline.
These new documents will apply for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2017 (including open enrollment periods in fall of 2016 for coverage beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2017).
On June 16, 2015, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury (Departments) published final regulations on the summary of benefits and coverage (SBC) and uniform glossary requirement under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
These regulations finalize provisions in proposed regulations that were published on Dec. 30, 2014, in order to amend prior final regulations from Feb. 14, 2012. According to the Departments, the changes made by these final regulations are designed to improve consumers’ access to important health plan information and to provide clarification that will make it easier for group health plans and health insurance issuers to comply with the SBC requirement.
