Proposed Regulations on Excepted Benefits Provide Guidelines, but Employers Should Watch for Final Rules

On December 24, 2013, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury issued highly anticipated proposed regulations that would amend the definition of limited excepted benefits.  Excepted benefits are generally exempt from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) market reform requirements. The proposed rules would be effective for plan years beginning in 2015. While the proposed regulations provide guidelines on excepted benefits, employers should watch for the final rules to accurately design ACA-compliant excepted benefits plans. To get a better handle on how the proposed rules on excepted benefits impact employers, Wolters Kluwer of Employee Benefits Management Directions, spoke with Joanna C. Kerpen, partner in the employee benefits practice group at McDermott Will & Emery.

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