Proposed Template Released for the Summary of Benefits and Coverage

8/25/2011

from Spencer's Benefits Reports: Under new proposed rules, the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the Internal Revenue Service, and the Department of Health and Human Services (the Departments) have provided standards on communications and model forms that health insurers and group health plans will use to provide clear, consistent and comparable information about health plan benefits and coverage.

The proposed regulations provide rules implementing Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions that would ensure consumers have access to two forms that will help them understand and evaluate their health coverage choices. These forms include:

• an easy to understand Summary of Benefits and Coverage; and
• a uniform glossary of terms commonly used in health insurance coverage, such as "deductible" and "co-pay"

To view the proposed template click here.