The Department of Labor (DOL) has released (May 8, 2013) the model notice that explains the new health insurance exchange that will become operational on January 1st, 2014. The healthcare reform law requires employers to provide this notice to all of its employees whether or not the employer offers health insurance or does not provide health insurance. This notice was originally intended to be distributed to all employees by March 1st 2013. The DOL delayed the notice distribution deadline due to the fact that there was not enough information available at that time to create the model notice. The notice is now ready for download and available for distribution.
Model notice for employers that offer health insurance:
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/FLSAwithplans.pdf
Model notice for employers that do not offer health insurance:
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/FLSAwithoutplans.pdf
When do employers need to provide this notice?
Employers are required to provide the notice to current employees (hired before 10/1/2013) by October 1st 2013. Employers are required to provide this notice to new employees hired on or after October 1st 2013 within 14 days of the employee’s start date.
The full details may be found here at the Department of Labor website.