In the dark: Most staffers confused about healthcare reform

September 23 is a very important day for healthcare reform but, chances are, many of your employees don’t know that yet.

On Sept. 23, the first wave of changes under the healthcare reform law go into effect.

However, according to a study by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), only 14% of respondents correctly identified Sept. 23, 2010 when they were asked when the first set of reform provisions took effect.

When it comes to what the actual reform changes entail, respondents fared much better – particularly about the changes involving children. For example: when asked about the changes that took effect on Sept. 23:

• 72% of respondents knew children with pre-existing conditions couldn’t be excluded from coverage, and
• 70% knew dependent care coverage was extended to dependents up to age 26.

The study also discovered that a significant number of people were confused about who the reform law affects. The study found that 50% of respondents thought companies with 50 or fewer employees will be required to provide healthcare coverage to their workers.

Under the reform law, only employers with 50 or more employees will be required to offer healthcare coverage to employees. This provision takes effect in 2014.

Readers, how knowledgeable are your employees about what healthcare reform entails — and when the changes take place? Let us know in the Comments section.