Required Notices
HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
Medicaid and the Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Mental Health Substance Use Disorder Parity Notice
Newborn and Mother’s Care Disclosure Notice
Users and Disclosures of Protected Health Information (PHI)
Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA)
HIPAA Plan Special Enrollment Notice
Continuation Coverage under COBRA
COBRA continuation coverage is a continuation of employee health benefits coverage when it would otherwise end because of a life event. This is also called a “qualifying event.” Specific qualifying events are listed HERE on this site. After a qualifying event, COBRA continuation coverage must be offered to each person who is a “qualified beneficiary.” You, your spouse, and your dependent children could become qualified beneficiaries if coverage under the Plan is lost because of the qualifying event. Qualified beneficiaries who elect COBRA continuation coverage must pay for COBRA continuation coverage.
Reporting Employer-Provided Health Coverage in Form W-2
The Affordable Care Act requires employers to report the cost of coverage under an employer-sponsored group health plan on an employee’s Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, in Box 12, using Code DD. Many employers are eligible for transition relief for tax-year 2012 and beyond, until the IRS issues final guidance for this reporting requirement. In general, the amount reported should include both the portion paid by the employer and the portion paid by the employee. This reporting is now required, not only to show employees the value of their health care benefits so they can be more informed consumers, but as of the 2014 tax year, for the purpose of reporting your health care enrollment compliance.
Patient Protection Disclosure
The City of Akron Medical Benefits plan will continue to not require employees to designate a primary-care provider for themselves or their dependents. All members are encouraged to use providers who participate in the City’s network and who are available to accept you or your covered dependents as patients. As has been the City’s practice, members do not need prior authorization from the City’s plan or from any other person (including a primary-care provider) in order to obtain access to obstetrical or gynecological care from a healthcare professional in the City’s network who specializes in obstetrics or gynecology. The same is true of other specialties such as orthopedics. The healthcare provider however, may be required to comply with certain procedures, such as obtaining prior authorization for certain services, following a pre-approved treatment plan, or procedures for making referrals. A list of providers participating in the City’s network is available at: https://www.medmutual.com/
