^®: CRE Regulatory Action of the Week

IRS, Labor and HHS Publish Interim Final Health Care Rules with a Request for Comment
On July 19, 2010, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor and the Department of Health and Human Services jointly published interim final regulations implementing the rules for group health plans and health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets. These interim final regulations are promulgated pursuant to provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act regarding preventive health services.

These interim final regulations are effective on September 17, 2010. Comments are due on or before September 17, 2010.

These interim final regulations generally apply to group health plans and group health insurance issuers for plan years beginning on or after September 23, 2010. These interim final regulations generally apply to individual health insurance issuers for policy years beginning on or after September 23, 2010.

These interim final regulations clarify the cost-sharing requirements when a recommended preventive service is provided during an office visit. The complete list of recommendations and guidelines that are required to be covered under these interim final regulations can be found here.

The Affordable Care Act was enacted on March 23, 2010. The Reconciliation Act was enacted on March 30, 2010. The two Acts reorganize, amend, and add to the provisions of part A of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act relating to group health plans and health insurance issuers in the group and individual markets.