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MA Healthcare Reform Updates

LEGISLATION
Legislation Updates
MA Healthcare Reform
ARRA of 2009 COBRA
MA Privacy Law
Health Care Reform

2010 Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure Form (HIRD) Released    Read more


 

MA Employer Fair Share Contribution Changes

Effective October 1, 2009, the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy has adopted revised regulations affecting the Employer Fair Share Contribution (FSC).  The change affects employers in three key areas: Group Health Plan Substantiation, Premium Reimbursment Arrangement, "Full Time Definition".  Read more
 

Notice of Technical Changes to the Fair Share Contribution Regulations

NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Pursuant to the provisions of M.G.L. c. 149, § 188 and in accordance with M.G.L. c.30A, as amended, a public comment period will be held until Friday, September 18, 2009 relative to proposed amendments to:

114.5 CMR 16:00: Determination of Employer Fair Share Contribution

The proposed amendments make technical changes to the Employer Fair Share Contribution regulation effective October 1, 2009.  Read more


Massachusetts Employer Fair Share Reporting and Filing Reminder

All employers were required to submit a quarterly filing by 2/15/09, covering the base period of 10/1/08 – 12/31/08. In an effort to minimize the filing requirements for many employers, the Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) may not require a separate FSC filing for subsequent quarters of the year. Subsequent quarterly filing obligations will be established by DUA based on information previously submitted by the employer. Firms that are liable for payment in the first quarterly filing or are at risk of becoming liable for payment in future quarters will be required to file each quarter.  Read more



The Massachusetts Division of Health Care Finance and Policy annually produces a report identifying employers with 50 or more employees receiving health services through publicly subsidized programs in state fiscal year 2008 (FY08). 
Read more...Click here for form from the Division of Unemployment Assistance.

Important Notice Of Statutory And Regulatory Changes To The Fair Share Contribution Program

It appears ALL employers will need to complete a filing by February 15, 2009 for the October 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008 time period.  Future filing frequency will be determined by the Division based on the results of this first quarter filing.  Employers will be notified if subsequent quarterly filings are required, or if an annual filing will be sufficient. 

2008 Massachusetts Schedule HC Health Care  Click here for Intructions  

Individual Mandate MA Health Care Coverage  Click here for Form MA 1099-HC

Schedule HC Health Care Information  Click here for Schedule HC

Schedule HC-CS Health Care Information Continuation Sheet
Complete this schedule to report additional insurance companies 
Click here for Schedule HC-CS


Administrative Bulletin 01-08:  Guidance Regarding Minimum Creditable Coverage (MCC) Certification on and After January 1, 2009 

The purpose of this Administrative Bulletin is to provide guidance regarding certain provisions of the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority’s (“Connector”) Minimum Creditable Coverage (“MCC”) regulation 956 CMR 5.00 (“Regulation”). 

Click here to view the Administrative Bulletin
Click here to view the MCC Certification Application


  
NEW 2009 EMPLOYEE HIRD FORM RELEASED

The Massachusetts Division of Healthcare Finance and Policy has just released the 2009 version of the HIRD  that must be used by Massachusetts employers of 11 or more  full time equivalent (FTE)employees.  The employer must disseminate and collect an Employee HIRD form  (the most recent version of the form available) from each employee that declines to enroll in employer-sponsored insurance or declines to use the employer's Section 125 Cafeteria Plan to pay for health insurance. The employer must retain the signed Employee HIRD for a period of three years.

Employee HIRD Form 2009 (English) PDF | Word

Employee HIRD Form 2009 (Portuguese) PDF | Word

Employee HIRD Form 2009 (Spanish) PDF | Word
Employers Guide to Massachusetts Healthcare Reform  

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