Taxes and Fees

The Affordable Care Act imposes new taxes and fees designed to fund many of the health care system changes. Many directly impact employer groups and health insurance companies like Health Net.


Analysis

This annual fee will fund premium subsidies for the health insurance marketplaces and Medicare expansion. It applies to health insurers, health maintenance organizations and entities providing insurance under government programs (e.g., Medi-Cal).


Impact to Health Net employer groups

Health Net is making the necessary adjustments to new business and renewal rates. Health Net's allocation of ACA-related fees to a client group's final premium will vary by group based upon the anniversary date of the policy and any differences between initial proposed and final sold rates/plan design.

Since the policy periods for new and renewal business may include revenue and enrollment from two different calendar years, Health Net has elected to prorate, or smooth, the Health Insurance and Reinsurance Contribution fees over the full 12-month policy period by applying a constant load factor for these fees over the 12-month period. This proration, or smoothing, eliminates the need for off-cycle rate changes and stabilizes contributions and plan selections for the group and enrollees.

In the event additional federal or state legislative guidance or regulatory requirements emerge that result in a modification of the estimated impact of the benefit mandates, taxes or fees, Health Net reserves the right to further adjust its premium schedule.