Quality health plans & benefits
Healthier living
Financial well-being
Intelligent solutions

Your small group (up to and including 50) with non-Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans can keep their current benefit plans even longer

Earlier this year, we told you about guidance from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) related to non-ACA benefit plans. This guidance means that small employer groups (up to and including 50) can keep their current medical benefit plans and continue to be medically underwritten until December 31, 2017*. This is an extension of the non-ACA Transitional Relief program.
 
Here’s how it works. When these small employer groups with non-ACA benefit plans receive their October, November or December renewal packages,¹ they can add a short contract period at the end of the 2016 policy cycle. This will extend their medical benefits to December 31, 2017. The short contract period will not change the 2016 renewal premium or benefit plan election.
 
Please encourage your clients to carefully review the cover letter and the Renewal & Acceptance form included in their renewal package. Keep in mind there are different considerations for calendar year versus plan year contracts. These materials will outline all available renewal options and the confirmation due date. Note: the Renewal & Acceptance form will be available on Producer World in early July.  
 
No employer group is required to elect this option. Your clients have many considerations to take into account. Electing to maintain their current plan longer and renewing for a short period, is entirely their choice.
 
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact your dedicated Client Manager.



*Only in those states that allow non-ACA transitional policies.
¹ To the extent we can accommodate it, employers with a non-ACA benefit plan renewing prior to October 1 will also have the opportunity to elect a short contract and keep their benefits until December 31, 2017.

Markets for Aetna products in which this program is available are AK, AZ, FL, GA, IL, MO, OH, OK, PA, TX, TN. List subject to change. Markets for Coventry products in which this program is available are FL, GA, IA, IL, KS, LA, MO, NC, NE, OH, OK, PA, SC, UT.  List subject to change.