Businesses prepare for next phase of health law implementation

Large employers around the country are hard at work to meet requirements that take effect in 2015. Also, in health law-related coverage, a look at proposals for cheaper plans on the marketplaces.

Cincinnati Enquirer/USA Today: Businesses Tackle The Obamacare Equation
David Tramontana is still crunching the numbers. His firm has spent thousands of dollars hiring consultants to walk him through the ins and outs of complying with new rules on the horizon under health reform. ... Across the country, large employers like Black Stone are hustling to comply with requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that are set to move into full swing in 2015 (Bernard-Kuhn, 6/30). 

Kaiser Health News: Proposal To Add Skimpier 'Copper' Plans To Marketplace Raises Concerns
If you offer it, will they come? Insurers and some U.S. senators have proposed offering cheaper, skimpier 'copper' plans on the health insurance marketplaces to encourage uninsured stragglers to buy. But consumer advocates and some policy experts say that focusing on reducing costs on the front end exposes consumers to unacceptably high out-of-pocket costs if they get sick. The trade-off, they say, may not be worth it (Andrews, 7/1). 

And a new poll examines consumer attitudes about wellness programs -

Kaiser Health News: Poll: Americans Bristle At Penalties In Wellness Programs
Workers believe employer wellness programs should be all gain but no pain, according to a poll released Tuesday. The poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation found employees approve of corporate wellness programs when they offer perks, but recoil if the plans have punitive incentives such as higher premiums for those who do not take part. ... Wellness programs, which are encouraged under the federal health law, are structured in various ways. (Rau, 7/1).