Required Health Care Reform notice to describe health insurance 'exchanges'

All current Purdue employees will be receiving a required Health Care Reform notice this month, but benefits-eligible employees who plan to be covered by a Purdue medical plan in 2014 will not need to take any action related to the notice.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, the Affordable Care Act -- commonly known as Health Care Reform -- will require everyone to have health care insurance or pay a fine. Individuals can get the required insurance through an employer plan (such as Purdue's plans for benefits-eligible faculty and staff, or a spouse's employer plan), through a government program (such as Medicare or Medicaid) or through coverage they buy on their own.

To help those who are looking to buy insurance on their own, the government's new Health Insurance Marketplace will connect people to the health coverage "exchanges" available in their area. Employers are required to make all employees, including those who are not eligible for benefits, aware of their Marketplace options. Purdue notices will be delivered to the employee's Purdue email address.

Benefits-eligible Purdue faculty and staff should note the following:

* Because Purdue's medical plans meet the minimum value and affordable coverage stipulations of Health Care Reform, a Purdue employee would not receive a subsidy at the Marketplace, likely making the plan offered through Purdue a better value. The Marketplace rates will be available Oct. 1 for a full comparison.

* Those who plan to have 2014 medical coverage through Purdue are not required to take any action related to the notice.

* The information in the notice has nothing to do with Purdue medical insurance enrollment. Benefits open enrollment for Purdue medical options will take place, as usual, this fall. The open enrollment period for Purdue benefits will be Oct. 28 through 6 p.m. Nov. 15.

* Information about 2014 Purdue medical plan options is available now through the Purdue Benefits website at www.purdue.edu/benefits.