What federal health care reform means to you as a county employee

Many of you have been asking how your county health benefits will be affected by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law on Mar. 23, 2010. While the schedule for implementing the federal health care reform legislation extends through 2018, here's the information we have about the benefit changes that will take effect in 2011.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2011, King County will adopt the following changes to your benefits:

• You will be able to cover adult children ages 23, 24 and 25 under your County medical, dental and vision plans. However, supplemental life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance ends when your child turns 25.
• There will no longer be a lifetime maximum of $2 million on medical benefits for KingCare^SM. SmartCare Connect, powered by Group Health, has never had a lifetime maximum.
• Except for over-the-counter insulin, you will need a prescription for over-the-counter medications you submit for reimbursement under a health care flexible spending account (FSA).

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act also includes provisions for improving accommodations for mothers who are breast-feeding. The new law requires employers with 50 or more employees to provide “reasonable” breaks and a private place “other than a bathroom” for a breast-feeding mother to use during her shift, for up to one year after the birth of the child. The U.S. Department of Labor is responsible for developing rules and regulations for implementing this section of the law. When those rules and regulations are known, the county will assist county departments with compliance.

In 2013, there will be more benefit changes as a result of federal health care reform. The county will continue to monitor the federal implementation process closely and notify employees when there is more information available.

Look for updates in the online Health Matters newsletter, the Health Matters Minute posted around the workplace, an upcoming payroll insert and this website. Of course, you’ll also receive updated information in October to help you make decisions about your 2011 benefits during online open enrollment in November.

If you have questions about federal health care reform and your benefits, please call Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations at 206-684-1556 or e-mail kc.benefits@kingcounty.gov.