Annual Notices ERISA and various other state and federal laws require that employers provide disclosure and annual notices to their plan participants. You will also receive annual notices from our insurance carriers directly. For copies, or if you have any questions,
please contact the Human Resources Department. The following is a brief summary of the annual notices:
Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) : Health insurance issuers and group health plans are required to provide you with an easy-to-understand summary about your health plan’s benefits and coverage. This new regulation is designed to help you better understand and evaluate your health insurance choices. Medicare Part D Notice of Creditable Coverage: Plans are required to provide each covered participant and dependent a Certificate of Creditable Coverage to qualify for enrollment in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage when qualified without a penalty. This notice also provides a written procedure for individuals to request and receive a Certificate of Creditable Coverage. HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices: This notice is intended to inform employees of the privacy practices followed by your company’s group health plan. It also explains the federal privacy rights afforded to you and the members of your family as plan participants covered under a group plan. Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) : The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) contains important protections for breast cancer patients who choose breast reconstruction with a mastectomy. The U.S. Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services are in charge of this act of law which applies to group health plans if the plans or coverage provide medical and surgical benefits for a mastectomy. Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act: The Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act of 1996 (NMHPA) affects the amount of time a mother and her newborn child are covered for a hospital stay following childbirth. Special Enrollment Rights: Plan participants are entitled to certain special enrollment rights outside of the company’s open enrollment period. This notice provides information on special enrollment periods for loss of prior coverage or the addition of a new dependent. Medicaid & Children’s Health Insurance Program: Some states offer premium assistance programs for those who are eligible for health coverage from their employers but are unable to afford the premiums. This notice provides information on how to determine if your state offers a premium assistance program.
22 Benefits Guide 2024-25
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