The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) began accepting applications for the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program (ERRP) on June 29, 2010. Created by the Affordable Care Act, employment-based plans that offer health benefits to early retirees are eligible under this temporary $5 billion program to receive a tax-free reimbursement for the costs of certain health benefits for such individuals. In order to qualify, plan sponsors must submit a complete application to HHS. You can find the final application and instructions, as well as fact sheets, FAQs, and a list of "Do's and Don'ts" on the HHS website.
As directed in the ERRP guidance, a plan sponsor interested in applying for the program must submit one application per plan, and identify the plan year cycle for which the sponsor is applying. The final application states that completed applications must be sent to the "HHS ERRP Application Center" in Beltsville, Maryland. For more information on the ERRP and the application process and instructions, see Conner Strong's recently issued legislative bulletin.
As always, if you have any questions regarding the latest on national health insurance reform, visit the health reform section on our website or contact your Conner Strong account representative at 1-877-861-3220.