Page 18 - Casting Network Benefits Guide 2020

Annual Notices ACA

ERISA and various other state and federal laws require that employers provide disclosure and Even though the Affordable Care Act (ACA)’s penalty for not
annual notices to their plan participants. Casting Networks has posted all federally required having health coverage (known as the individual mandate)
annual notices on Ease for you to download and read at your convenience, such as: has been reduced to zero, if you are a taxpayer in California,
you will still be required to have health coverage (unless you
• Medicare Part D Notice of Creditable Coverage: Plans are required to provide each qualify for an exemption) or pay a penalty for the 2020 tax
covered participant and dependent a Certificate of Creditable Coverage to qualify for year. In addition, several other states, including
enrollment in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage when qualified without a Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vermont, as well as the
penalty. This notice also provides a written procedure for individuals to request and receive District of Columbia, have reinstated an individual mandate
Certificates of Creditable Coverage. requirement, and others are considering doing so.
• HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices: This notice is intended to inform employees of the
privacy practices followed by Casting Networks' group health plan. It also explains the You may consider these options below to satisfy this
federal privacy rights afforded to you and the members of your family as plan participants requirement:
covered under a group plan.
• Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA): The Women's Health and Cancer Rights • Enroll in a medical plan offered by Casting Networks or
Act (WHCRA) contains important protections for breast cancer patients who choose another group medical plan meeting the requirements for
breast reconstruction with a mastectomy. The U.S. Departments of Labor and Health and minimum essential coverage;
Human Services are in charge of this act of law which applies to group health plans if the • Purchase coverage through a health insurance
plans or coverage provide medical and surgical benefits for a mastectomy. marketplace;
• Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act: The Newborns' and Mothers' Health • Enroll in coverage through a government-sponsored
Protection Act of 1996 (NMHPA) affects the amount of time a mother and her newborn program if eligible.
child are covered for a hospital stay following childbirth.
• Special Enrollment Rights: Plan participants are entitled to certain special enrollment rights However, if you choose to purchase coverage through the
outside of Casting Network's open enrollment period. This notice provides information on marketplace, because Casting Networks’ medical plans are
special enrollment periods for loss of prior coverage or the addition of a new dependent. considered affordable and meet minimum value under the
• Medicaid & Children’s Health Insurance Program: Some states offer premium assistance Affordable Care Act, you may not be eligible for a subsidy,
programs for those who are eligible for health coverage from their employers, but are and you may not see lower premiums or out-of-pocket costs
unable to afford the premiums. This notice provides information on how to determine if through the marketplace. In addition, employer contributions
your state offers a premium assistance program. to your medical benefits will be lost and your portion of
• Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC): Health insurance issuers and group health plans medical premiums will no longer be paid via payroll
are required to provide you with an easy-to-understand summary about your health plan’s deductions on a pre-tax basis.
benefits and coverage. The new regulation is designed to help you better understand and
evaluate your health insurance choices.

IRS CODE Section 125
The Casting Networks employee benefit plans are designed under Section 125 of the IRS Code. This allows you to take advantage of federal laws by purchasing some of
your benefits with pre-tax dollars. Under Section 125, your Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Account contributions are deducted before taxes are withheld
which saves you tax dollars. Paying for benefits before-tax means that your share of the costs is deducted before taxes are determined, resulting in more take-home pay
for you. As a result, the IRS requires that your elections remain in effect for the entire year. You cannot drop or change coverage unless you experience a qualifying
event. You may waive participation in the Section 125 Plan and elect to pay all contributions with after-tax dollars. Contact the Human Resources Department if you
wish to pay for your benefits with after-tax dollars.

18 Annual Notices & ACA