February 2013 Reform Matters Conference Call Agenda

CONFERENCE CALL AGENDA
Hosted by the National Women’s Law Center
February 14, 2013

3:00 pm Eastern

1. Welcome & Introductions

 Introduction and review of agenda

• Dania Palanker, Senior Health Policy Advisor at the National Women’s Law Center

2. Women’s Preventive Services and Contraceptive Coverage

On February 1, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a proposed rule concerning the contraceptive coverage provision of the health care law.  Gretchen Borchelt, Senior Counsel & Director of State Reproductive Health Policy at the National Women’s Law Center will provide an overview of the proposed regulations.  Comments are due April 8, 2013.

• Gretchen Borchelt, Senior Counsel & Director of State Reproductive Health Policy, National Women’s Law Center

3. Medicaid, Exchanges and Alternative Benefit Plans

In January, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a proposed rule clarifying functions related to Medicaid, the Essential Health Benefits in Medicaid Benchmark Plans (Alternative Benefit Plans) and several technical changes.  Danielle Garrett, Health Policy Analyst from the National Women’s Law Center will provide an overview of key issues that will impact women’s access to health care. A link to a summary of the rule is included in the attachments.  Comments are due February 21, 2013.

• Danielle Garrett, Health Policy Analyst, National Women’s Law Center

4. Shared Responsibility

The Department of Treasury has issued two rules on the shared responsibility provisions of the health care law.  The first rule, with comments due March 18, 2013, address the requirements of large employers to offer health insurance benefits to full-time employees, and includes issues such as defining a large employee and determining which employees are full-time.  The second rule, with comments due May 2, 2013, addresses the individual requirement to maintain health insurance and includes information on what types of coverage and individual needs to maintain under the law.  There is a corresponding proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services with comments due March 18, 2013.  Dania Palanker will provide an overview of key issues in the proposed rules that impact women’s access to affordable care.

• Dania Palanker, Senior Health Policy Advsior, National Women’s Law Center

5. Updates, announcements, future calls:

• Dania Palanker, Senior Health Policy Advisor at the National Women’s Law Center

To register for upcoming conference calls: http://action.nwlc.org/healthcarereform

To suggest future agenda topics, or make an announcement on a call, please contact us at reformmatters@nwlc.org

Materials for the Call:

Coverage of Certain Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act

Proposed Rule http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-02-06/pdf/2013-02420.pdf

Fact Sheet http://cciio.cms.gov/resources/factsheets/womens-preven-02012013.html

Essential Health Benefits in Alternative Benefit Plans, Eligibility Notices, Fair Hearing and Appeal Processes for Medicaid and Exchange Eligibility Appeals

Proposed Rule http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-01-22/pdf/2013-00659.pdf

Section by Section Summary (attached)

Employer Shared Responsibility Payment

Proposed Rule http://www.irs.gov/pub/newsroom/reg-138006-12.pdf

Q & A http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/Questions-and-Answers-on-Employer-Shared-Responsibility-Provisions-Under-the-Affordable-Care-Act

Individual Shared Responsibility Provision

Proposed Rule http://www.irs.gov/PUP/newsroom/REG-148500-12%20FR.pdf

Q&A http://www.irs.gov/uac/Questions-and-Answers-on-the-Individual-Shared-Responsibility-Provision

Eligibility for Exemptions; Miscellaneous Minimum Essential Coverage Provisions

Proposed Rule http://ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2013-02139_PI.pdf

Document(s):

hhs_final_and_interim_medicaid_rules_track_changes.pdf