On August 22, federal government agencies (the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor, and U.S. Treasury Department) published proposed regulations concerning the new mandated “summary of benefits and coverage” (SBC). Beginning March 23, 2012, group health plans (and health insurance issuers) must provide plan participants and beneficiaries with plan information in the form of the new SBC.

FORMAT. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 mandates a four page summary, but the agencies have interpreted this requirement as four double-sided pages. Thus, the form can extend for eight sides, though the SBC template contained in the regulations is six single-sided pages long.