May 03, 2016
On March 24, 2016, the Alaska Division of Insurance published Bulletin 16-04. The bulletin relates to an extension of non-PPACA-compliant small group policies and plans. As background, the federal government previously announced a transition policy that allows insurers (if allowed by the state) to renew non-grandfathered non-PPACA-compliant plans, so long as the transitional coverage does not extend beyond Dec. 31, 2017.
Bulletin 16-04 states that the Division will allow insurers the option to renew non-PPACA-compliant policies if coverage has been continuously in effect since Dec. 31, 2013. Those policies may continue to be renewed on or before Oct. 1, 2017, provided the policy will terminate by Dec. 31, 2017. Insurers may early renew or issue coverage for periods less than one year if a policy terminates prior to Dec. 31, 2017 and the employer wants coverage through the end of the calendar year.
The bulletin presents two options for insurers that elect to extend non-PPACA-policies. Under the first option, an insurer may permit employer-sponsored groups currently enrolled in the insurer’s non-PPACA-compliant plan to continue to renew their coverage. Under the second option, the insurer may provide an additional opportunity to renew coverage in its non-PPACA-compliant plan to an employer-sponsored group that is currently enrolled in the insurer’s non-PPACA-compliant plan but has indicated its intent to non-renew at the end of the plan year.
Alaska small employers that are interested in renewing a non-PPACA-compliant plan should work with their advisors and insurers.
Bulletin 16-04 »