Obamacare-employer plans that get grandfathered

[Oh so SIMPLE]

I've heard that employer health plans that are not changed might be grandfathered around Obamacare until something like 2018, but if the employer modifies the health plan before then, that the grandfathering is lost and that the plan must comply with Obamacare around 2014.

We'd like to change our deductibles, but not if that would cause an earlier application of having to comply with Obamacare than if we don't make the change.

Does anyone know details about this?

[Guest sniffles]

You are going to have to wait for further guidance about when a plan loses grandfather status. The reform bill did not address what causes a plan to lose this status.

[Guest Sieve]

You probably know already, but look at the regulations issued in June: http://webapps.dol.gov/FederalRegister/Pdf...spx?DocId=23967, especially Section 54.9815-1251T(g).

[GMK]

For your further reading enjoyment:

http://www.proskauer.com/publications/clie...al-regulations/

and the latest on switching insurance companies:

http://www.proskauer.com/publications/clie...d-health-plans/

And there are important things in PPACA that apply now (as in, don't wait until 2014) even if you are grandfathered.