In February we reported that Final Rules were issued establishing how health care insurers will describe coverage to employees and their families.

Not later than September, 2012, insurers will have to provide an 8-page summary of benefits in a standardized question-and-answer format. It must include details about deductables and out-of-pocket costs that a consumer would expect to pay in situations such as buying generic prescription drugs, visiting an emergency room or receiving mental health treatment.

The Federal Tri-Agency Task Force, includes the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor and the Treasury and Internal Revenue Services has released new FAQs on the rules requiring group health plans and health insurers to issue a Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act . These FAQs address the effective date for the SBC rules; the ability to consolidate certain information on an SBC; certain other format, delivery and content requirements; and the agencies’ expected enforcement approach during the first year.

The Agencies also provide temporary relief from the rule in the final regulations that would have made plans and issuers responsible for the “accuracy and timeliness” of SBCs, even if they had contracted with a provider to prepare and/or deliver the SBCs.

Click here for FAQs. http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq-aca8.html