On March 19, the Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services jointly issued FAQs addressing the new summary of benefits and coverage requirement under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Although the agencies released final regulations only a few weeks prior, the FAQs provide additional guidance and clarification.
Importantly, the FAQs did not delay the effective date for the SBC requirement. Therefore, group health plans and health insurance issuers must begin providing the SBC to most participants and beneficiaries beginning with the first open enrollment period beginning on or after Sept. 23.
