Senior Counsel Nick Welle was quoted in an article in Corporate Counsel, “Will Some Employers Be Allowed to Stop Offering Group Health Coverage Under the ACA? Stay Tuned,” about proposed new rules that would allow some employers to set up health reimbursement arrangements to help employees buy individual health insurance policies rather than provide group coverage.
Welle said the proposed new rules, which wouldn’t take effect until at least Jan. 1, 2020, would theoretically allow employers, for the first time ever, to fully satisfy the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate without offering group major medical coverage for their employees. But he believes most large employers would probably continue to offer group health plans because they provide employers with a valuable recruitment incentive.
“Very large employers, sophisticated Fortune 500 companies, are going to want to keep group health plans to attract and retain talent,” he said. “The individual market and the government exchange is just so much inconsistency with the switch from a Democratic to Republican administration, there are a lot of unknowns. The larger, sophisticated employers will say they are not comfortable telling their employees to go to the individual marketplace.”
Welle said the proposed new rules, which wouldn’t take effect until at least Jan. 1, 2020, would theoretically allow employers, for the first time ever, to fully satisfy the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate without offering group major medical coverage for their employees. But he believes most large employers would probably continue to offer group health plans because they provide employers with a valuable recruitment incentive.
“Very large employers, sophisticated Fortune 500 companies, are going to want to keep group health plans to attract and retain talent,” he said. “The individual market and the government exchange is just so much inconsistency with the switch from a Democratic to Republican administration, there are a lot of unknowns. The larger, sophisticated employers will say they are not comfortable telling their employees to go to the individual marketplace.”
People
Related News
26 April 2024
In the News
IP Laterals Ngai Zhang and Drew Schulte Make Headlines with Move to Foley
Foley & Lardner LLP partners Ngai Zhang and Drew Schulte are featured across legal press for their recent move to the firm, including in the Law360 article, “Foley & Lardner Gains Two Perkins Coie IP Partners.”
24 April 2024
In the News
Judith Waltz Discusses Nursing Home Staffing Mandate, Potential Legal Challenges
Foley & Lardner LLP partner Judith Waltz offers insight on a new nursing home staffing rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and its impact on the industry in the Bloomberg Law article, “Nursing Homes, HHS on Collision Path Over Staffing Mandate.”
23 April 2024
In the News
David Sanders Discusses Lessons Learned from General Counsel Leadership Program
Foley & Lardner LLP partner David Sanders recently joined a panel discussion with members of The Vanguard Network’s General Counsels Advisory Group to discuss the evolving role of the general counsel.