SB 1446 will allow a small employer health care plan that was in effect on December 31, 2013, and that is still in effect as of the date this bill was signed (July 7, 2014), and that does not qualify as a grandfathered health plan under the ACA, to be renewed until January 1, 2015, and to continue to be in force until December 31, 2015. The bill also states that these plans must be amended to be in compliance with the ACA guidelines as of January 1, 2016, "in order to remain in force on and after that date." 

Health Net, Kaiser Permanente, UnitedHealthcare and Blue Shield have issued guidance on how they will make this available to your clients. 

To review details on their renewal process, please click here. 

We are currently receiving information on how our other partners will proceed based on this new development and we will continue to keep you informed as new information becomes available. 

The small employer group policies affected by SB 1446 must still include many ACA and state-based mandated benefits such as preventative healthcare coverage without co-pays or deductibles, no lifetime caps on benefits, maternity care, coverage for autism and the elimination of gender discrimination in setting premiums. Groups must also conform to the new waiting period requirements, however they will not be required to offer items such as pediatric dental and vision or be subject to the new ACA member level rating.