Health Care Reform
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What is Health Care Reform?
In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), commonly called health care reform, became federal law. Based on our Catholic values, CHE Trinity Health began urging policy makers to enact meaningful health care reform in 2006. While the recently passed legislation is not perfect, it provides a template that can be improved over time.
As you may know, this legislation has significant implications for health care providers, for employers who offer health care benefits and for colleagues and families covered by health care plans. At CHE Trinity Health, we know you have a lot of questions and concerns about health care reform. That’s why we want to begin sharing information that can help you prepare for the future.
This website will give you some of the highlights of the legislation, including how your benefits will be impacted next year. There is much that is unknown about health care reform. Some parts of the law will take effect very quickly but many of the major provisions will not take effect for several years.
We will continue to work with our experts to analyze how health care reform will change things at CHE Trinity Health. And we will communicate with you on a regular basis so you will have the latest information. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the information, contact your local HR benefits representative.
CHE Trinity Health Advocated for Health Care Reform
CHE Trinity Health was at the forefront of the national effort to enact meaningful health care reform. Our hard work contributed to the passage of this legislation. For more information on CHE Trinity Health's Advocacy work visit their website.
Health Care Reform Notice on Health Insurance Marketplace Coverage
At CHE Trinity Health, your health is important to us. That’s why the Trinity Health division (hereafter referred to as Trinity Health in this communication) recently provided you with information about the Affordable Care Act, also known as the health care reform law, and what it means for Trinity Health colleagues at this point in time. Many of the law’s key features go into effect Jan. 1, 2014, including the introduction of Health Insurance Marketplaces in every state.
The government requires all employers to provide their employees/colleagues with the enclosed notice about the Health Insurance Marketplace and we want to make sure you know what it means for you. All U.S. citizens and legal resident aliens living in the U.S. who are not incarcerated will have access to individual health insurance policies through the Health Insurance Marketplace in the state in which they live starting Jan. 1, 2014. Some people who do not have access to affordable, minimum value health care coverage through their employer may be eligible for a federal tax credit and/or subsidy in order to make buying insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace more affordable.
In addition, we want to share what the health care reform law means to you here at Trinity Health. At this point in time:
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We will continue to offer comprehensive health coverage in 2014 for colleagues who are benefits eligible.
- Similar to other years, if you are benefits eligible, you will be able to choose the Trinity Health health plan that works best for you and your family during benefits open enrollment Oct. 23 – Nov. 6, 2013.
If You are Eligible for Benefits at Trinity Health
It’s important to know that Trinity Health’s health plans meet government standards for minimum value and essential health benefits. If the cost of a plan from Trinity Health that would cover you, colleague only coverage (and not any other members of your family) is more than 9.5 percent of your household income for the year you may be eligible for a federal tax credit and/or subsidy for Marketplace health insurance coverage. Please visit http://www.healthcare.gov/ for more information.
If You are Not Eligible for Benefits at Trinity Health
If you are not eligible for Trinity Health's health benefits, you should consider other health coverage options that may be available to you, such as coverage through a plan of your spouse’s employer or your parent’s employer (if you are under age 26), Medicaid, Medicare or your state’s Health Insurance Marketplace. Enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace will begin in October.
If you decide to enroll through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you will need to provide the Health Insurance Marketplace with information about Trinity Health and our health plans. Please contact your Human Resources representative for details.
Remember, the health care reform law requires almost all U.S. citizens and legal resident aliens to have health care coverage starting Jan. 1, 2014 or pay a penalty tax. If you have questions regarding this information, please read the Health Care Reform Education Toolkit available below.
Health Care Reform Education Toolkit
Understanding the Health Insurance Marketplaces
Health Insurance Marketplace Notice Cover Letter
Health Insurance Marketplace Notice
Your Responsibility for Health Insurance
This webpage is for information purposes only. It offers a high-level summary of the key elements of health care reform and how these changes may impact Trinity Health colleagues in 2014. It is not intended to provide advice or direction. If a discrepancy exists between this document and the actual provisions of the Affordable Care Act (“Act”) and the guidance issued under the Act, the Act and the guidance issued under the Act will govern. We encourage all colleagues to visit www.healthcare.gov and www.medicaid.gov to learn more about the provisions of health care reform that become effective in 2014, including the Health Insurance Marketplace.