Showing 58 posts by Mindi M. Johnson.
Notice of Insurance Marketplace - Due Date Approaching
An October 1, 2013 deadline is looming for many employers to give employees written notices under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA, commonly known as the health care reform act.) Read More ›
Categories: Health Care Reform
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Large Employers Rejoice! PPACA’s Employer Mandate Delayed until 2015
On July 2, 2013, the Obama administration declared that it was delaying the effective date of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s Employer Mandate until January 1, 2015. The Employer Mandate, which was scheduled to become effective on January 1, 2014, required all large employers to offer health care coverage to their full-time employees or pay a penalty. Most importantly, this delay means that the penalties to large employers for failure to provide health insurance coverage will not be enforced for another year. You may read the full statement issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury here. Read more about his announcement ›
Categories: Employment, Health Care Reform, Insurance
Recap From the 2013 Health Law Institute
On March 7 and 8, 2013, the members of Foster Swift’s Health Care Law Group attended the 19th Annual Health Law Institute. This two-day institute, which is co-sponsored by the Institute for Continuing Legal Education and the Health Care Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, focused on recent legal developments in health care law. Specific topics addressed at this year’s Health Law Institute included: Read More ›
Categories: Health Care Reform, Health Insurance Exchange, HIPAA, Hospitals, Insurance, Physicians, Regulatory
Payments to Doctors Will Soon be Public Knowledge
Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, companies that provide drugs, medical devices, biologicals or other medical supplies covered by certain government programs (Medicare, Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program) are required to annually report certain payments they make to physicians. According to a recently issued final rule, payment categories will include: Read More ›
Categories: Compliance, Hospitals, Physicians, Regulatory
Proposed Rules Related to Coverage of Contraceptive Services Just Released
On January 30, 2013, the Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services (collectively, the “Departments”) jointly released proposed rules related to the coverage of preventive services under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”). When initially enacted, PPACA required certain health plans to provide benefits for particular preventive health services, including coverage of contraceptives, without the imposition of cost sharing measures (i.e., individuals covered by the plan would not be required to pay anything for the services). This coverage requirement became effective on the first day of the plan year that followed August 1, 2012. For calendar year plans, the effective date was January 1, 2013. Read More ›
Categories: Employee Benefits, Health Care Reform, Insurance, Regulatory
Snyder Supports Medicaid Expansion for Michigan
Governor Rick Snyder announced that his 2014 budget includes support for the expansion of Medicaid eligibility to Michigan residents without insurance. Speaking at a press conference in Lansing on Wednesday, February 6th, Governor Snyder said expansion would save costs, increase care, and help businesses. Read more about the expansion ›
Categories: Health Care Reform, Medicare/Medicaid
Delayed Deadline: Employer Notice Regarding Health Insurance Exchanges
As previously discussed, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires employers to provide notice to their employees related to Health Insurance Exchanges (the “Notice”). The specifics concerning the Notice may be found here. The Notice was required to be given to each current employee not later than March 1, 2013. Read more about the delay ›
Categories: Health Care Reform, Health Insurance Exchange, Hospitals, Insurance, Physicians, Regulatory
Health Care Benefits Provided to Same Sex Couples in Michigan - Are the Laws Changing?
In 2008, the Michigan Supreme Court concluded that domestic partnership policies intended to provide health care benefits to same sex couples violated Michigan law. Specifically, National Pride at Work v Governor held that such policies violated the Michigan Marriage Amendment (“Marriage Amendment”) by recognizing same sex domestic partnerships as analogous to a marriage or similar union. (The Marriage Amendment recognizes the union of one man and one woman as the only agreement recognized as a marriage and also prohibits public employers from providing health insurance benefits to their employees' same-sex domestic partners.) Since the decision in National Pride... ›
Categories: Employee Benefits, Employment, Hospitals, Physicians
Employer Mandate and the Controlled Group Rules
Employers with 50 or more full time equivalent employees (“FTEs”) will be subject to a penalty tax for: (1) failing to offer health care coverage to all full time employees; ( 2) offering minimum essential coverage that is unaffordable; or (3) offering minimum essential coverage where the Plan pays less than 60% of cost. This is often referred to as the Employer Mandate of PPACA. Read More ›
Categories: Employee Benefits, Health Care Reform, Insurance, Regulatory
Blue Cross Changes on the Horizon?
Changes to the health insurance market in Michigan may soon be changing due to the Michigan House of Representatives’ approval of Senate Bills 1293 and 1294 (the “Senate Bills”) on December 6, 2012. The introduction of the Senate Bills follow Governor Snyder’s proposed overhaul of BCBSM discussed here and directly address the corporate organization and continued operation of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (“BCBSM”) in our state. In brief, the Senate Bills authorize BCBSM to establish, own, operate and merge with a nonprofit mutual disability insurer. They also generally prohibit BCBSM from using “Most Favored Nation Clauses” in provider contracts beginning February 1, 2013. While the Senate Bills are not final until Governor Snyder signs them into law, given his previous support it is likely he will give his approval. A more detailed analysis of the Senate Bills will be provided if the Governor does indeed sign them into law.
Categories: Billing/Payment, Insurance, Regulatory
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Best Lawyers® 2021
Congratulations to the attorneys of the Health Care practice group at Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC for their inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2021 edition. Firm-wide, 44 lawyers were listed. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation and as lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Health Care practice group members listed in Best Lawyers are as follows:
- Jennifer B. Van Regenmorter, Holland
To see the full list of Foster Swift attorneys listed in Best Lawyers 2021, click here.