Federal Health Care Reform Resource Page
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This page contains some basic resources for people and employers about the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). More information is available from the federal government at www.HealthCare.gov.
Federal Resources | TDI Resources | Federal Reform Insurance Provisions
Federal Resources
- The Health Care Law & You
- Timeline: What's Changing and When provides a year-by-year summary of PPACA provisions.
- FAQs: Prepared Jointly by the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury
- Taxes: Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides a summary of tax-related provisions.
- Regulations: Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) is a source for federal regulations and guidance.
- Compilation of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is the easiest way to read the full text of the law.
TDI Resources
- Resources for Healthcare Carriers
- TexasHealthOptions.com (learn more about health coverage and the choices available)
- Texas Consumer Health Assistance Program (CHAP) (provides help with insurance issues)
- Federal Heatlh Care Reform and You publication
- Fact Sheets: Provisions of Federal Health Care Reform | For Young Adults | For Families with Children | For Employers and Small Businesses | For Veterans, Military Members, and their Families | For People with HIV/AIDS | For People with Insurance | For People without Insurance | For Seniors | PCIP vs Health Pool | Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan
Federal Reform Insurance Provisions
Health Insurance Marketplace
- Texas has indicated that it will not create a state-based health insurance marketplace (formerly called the exchange). See the letter from Governor Perry dated November 2012.
- A federally-created marketplace is scheduled to begin open enrollment periods for individual and small employer coverage in October 2013, for coverage beginning in January 2014. People with incomes between 100 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level may be eligible for premium and cost sharing subsidies.
- Find more information on the health insurance marketplace.
Essential Health Benefits
- The health care reform law requires individual and small employer group plans to cover a minimum package of essential health benefits beginning in 2014.
The essential health benefits package is based on the coverage offered in the most popular plan in Texas’ small group market, the BCBS BestChoice PPO. See Plan Summary | Full Plan Document | More Information - Preventive Care – Individual and small and large employer plans are required to provide certain preventive care services without cost sharing.
Preexisting Conditions
- Texas provides access to health insurance for people with preexisting conditions through the Texas Health Insurance Pool.
- PPACA created the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan as an additional source of coverage for uninsured people with preexisting conditions. As of February 16, 2013, PCIP isn't accepting applications until further notice.
- In 2014, health insurers must offer coverage to all individual and employer groups, regardless of health status.
Premium Rates
- The law imposes restrictions on the range of rates that different policyholders may be charged for the same policy.
- Information about TDI’s review of health insurance rates will be posted on the web. See Texas Rate Form Filings that are Subject to PPACA.
- The law sets a minimum medical loss ratio (MLR), which requires health insurers and HMOs to spend 80 to 85 percent of premiums on health-related expenses or pay rebates to consumers. These rebates were first paid to eligible consumers in August 2012. See more information on the MLR or look up information about your insurer.
Individual Mandate
- Beginning January 1, 2014, most people will be required to have qualifying health insurance coverage.
- People without coverage may have to pay a tax penalty of the higher of $95 per person or 1 percent of taxable income in 2014; $326 or 2 percent in 2015; and $695 or 2.5 percent in 2016.
Employer Mandate
- Beginning January 1, 2014, employers with 50 or more full-time and full-time-equivalent employees may be required to pay tax assessments if their employees receive subsidized coverage through the marketplace because the employer doesn't offer minimum coverage or because the coverage offered is unaffordable.
- Employers with 25 or fewer employees may be eligible for tax credits if they provide health insurance.
- Find general information for employers or find answers on employer responsibilities.
Grandfathered Plans
- Plans issued before March 23, 2010, are not subject to many of the requirements of the federal reforms and will not include many of the required coverages.
- Find more information on grandfathered plans.
Contact TDI
For answers to general insurance questions, for information about filing an insurance-related complaint, or to report suspected insurance fraud, call the Consumer Help Line between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Central time, Monday-Friday, or visit our website
1-800-252-3439
512-463-6515 in Austin
If you didn't find the answer to your question, contact TDI by email at ConsumerProtection@tdi.texas.gov.
Contact CCIIO
For answers to questions, you may also contact the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) at 1-888-393-2789. CCIIO is a federal agency charged with helping implement many provisions of the law.
File an Insurance Complaint
TDI accepts and reviews written complaints against insurance companies, HMOs, insurance agents, adjusters, and fully insured or fully funded health benefit plans (health plans purchased by an employer from an insurance company or HMO).
For information on filing an insurance-related complaint, visit our website or call the Consumer Help Line between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Central time, Monday-Friday.
Insurance Complaint Forms
English Online Form
Easy Print Form RTF Format | PDF Format
En Español En linea Forma | RTF Format | PDF Format
Help Us Prevent Insurance Fraud
Consumer Help Line - 1-800-252-3439
Online Fraud Reporting
Secure Transmission, Fast, Comprehensive, Easy Data Entry
Online Fraud Reporting for Consumers
Online Fraud Reporting for Insurance Companies
For more information contact:
Last updated: 04/29/2013
