Compliance Date: 60 days after plan design changes
PPACA requires that you must notify your employees in writing if changes have been made to the benefits in your health plan. Neither Health and Human Services or the Department of Labor have issued standard language for this notification. Here are the rules.
You must issue a Summary of Material Modification (SMM) if you made any "general changes to the design or coverage of your benefit platform." Since no model langauage has been furnished, we suggest a simple chart that follows the old vs. new benefit. PPACA requires that you provide this to all employees no later than 210 days following the effective date of change.
If you made a "material redution in benefits or services" you must issue a Summary of Material Reduction in Covered Services/Benefits (SMR). Again, no model language has been issued. A simple communication to all employees that indicates the reduction in benefits or services, indicating the level and measure of change should suffice. PPACA requires that this must be sent to all participants within 60 days of the plan design change.
Remember to include all plan participants including retired and COBRA eligible employees.